Virginia Cavaliers Triumph Over Miami Hurricanes
In a thrilling showdown on Saturday, the No. 14 ranked Virginia Cavaliers triumphed over the Miami Hurricanes with a narrow score of 86-83, thanks to a clutch performance by Chance Mallory. With just 3.6 seconds remaining in the game, Mallory drew a foul while attempting a three-pointer and calmly converted all three free throws, sealing the victory for Virginia.
Game Highlights
Virginia’s win extended their impressive streak to eight in a row, pushing their season record to 24-3 and solidifying their position at the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 12-2 record. The Cavaliers were bolstered by Jacari White, who came off the bench to contribute 17 points, including five successful shots from beyond the arc. Sam Lewis added another 15 points, while Thijs De Ridder chipped in with 14. Notably, Mallory scored all of his 12 points during a pivotal second half.
For Miami, which dropped to 21-6 and 10-4 in conference play, the defeat ended a four-game winning streak. Shelton Henderson and Tre Donaldson led the team’s scoring efforts with 18 points each, showcasing their offensive strength. The Hurricanes managed to control the boards, out-rebounding UVA 30-23, and dominated in second-chance points with an 18-2 advantage.
Pregame Ceremony
In a pregame ceremony, Virginia celebrated the legacy of legendary former coach Tony Bennett by naming the court at John Paul Jones Arena after him. The event saw Bennett joined by several of his former players, highlighting his impactful tenure with the program.
Game Progression
Miami initially surged ahead with an 11-point lead, but Virginia kept pace with a series of seven first-half three-pointers. As the half closed, Miami scored the final eight consecutive points, taking a 44-39 lead into halftime.
The game was tightly contested, culminating in a dramatic finish where the teams were tied at 83-83, following a layup by Malik Reneau with just seven seconds left. However, Mallory’s decision to push up the court resulted in him being fouled and ultimately clinching the game at the free-throw line.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Miami will face off against Florida State on Tuesday, while Virginia will host N.C. State on the same day. This victory not only strengthened Virginia’s position in the ACC standings but also denied Miami a significant Quad 1 victory that could boost their tournament hopes.
