In a thrilling ACC matchup, the University of Miami men’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 75-71 victory over Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum on Saturday night. Matthew Cleveland led the charge with an impressive 21-point performance, supported by Nijel Pack’s 19 points, and Norchad Omier’s contribution of 14 points. Wooga Poplar also added 11 points to the scoreboard, helping the Hurricanes break a two-game losing streak.
Miami (12-4, 3-2 ACC) faced a challenging start, missing 14 of their first 17 shots and falling behind by nine points in the first half. However, a resilient effort saw them turn the tide with a 20-4 run spanning both halves. The game remained intensely competitive, tied at 66 with less than three minutes left. Kyshawn George’s crucial 3-pointer at the top of the key provided the Hurricanes with a lead they would maintain, securing the victory.
Sean Pedulla showcased an outstanding performance for Virginia Tech, leading his team with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Despite a very slow start, Miami displayed an impressive shooting display, making 24 of 40 shots from the floor. Their shooting percentage soared to 65.2% in the second half, ultimately finishing the game at 47.4% (27 of 57).
Head coach Jim Larrañaga reflected on the challenging nature of games against Virginia Tech under coach Mike Young, describing them as consistently nail-biting. Larrañaga acknowledged Young’s coaching prowess and credited his team’s ability to pull away in the second half for the victory.
The game featured eight ties and 10 lead changes, maintaining a single-digit margin throughout the second half. Matthew Cleveland’s first-half performance, where he scored 12 points, included a significant milestone as he crossed the 1,000-point mark in his career.
Miami carried their offensive momentum into the second half, initiating a 12-4 run to reclaim the lead. Despite the Hokies’ resilience, neither team led by more than five points in the final 10 minutes, with the outcome ultimately determined in the last minute of the game.
In the closing seconds, Miami maintained a slim 74-71 lead, and Nijel Pack secured the victory by sinking one of two free throws. The Hurricanes will return to the Watsco Center on January 17 to face in-state rival Florida State, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST, and the game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
