Virginia Tech got a three-point play from Mylyjael Poteat with two seconds left to give Virginia Tech an 86-85 win over the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday in Blacksburg. The loss was the 13th consecutive one for Miami in the ACC. Miami blew an 82-76 lead with 3:17 remaining in the game. Matthew Cleveland led Miami with 21 points.
Miami falls to 4-10 overall and 0-3 in the ACC. The Hurricanes had a chance to ice the game on their penultimate possession, but Jalil Bethea missed a jump shot with 10 seconds remaining. Bethea then fouled Tobi Lawal of Virginia Tech. That was Miami's sixth team foul of the half.
Virginia Tech took the ball out of bounds and Poteat drove the lane, made the basket and was fouled by Brandon Johnson. Poteat's free throw put Virginia Tech up 86-85 with two seconds remaining. A heave by Cleveland from halfcourt was no good at the buzzer.
Final: VT 86, Miami 85
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) January 4, 2025
Miami blew it late against Virginia Tech to suffer yet another brutal loss
Virginia Tech closed both halves strong. The Hokies had an 8-1 run at the end of the first half to lead 40-39 at halftime. Virginia Tech finished the game with a 10-3 run to earn the win. Poteat led Virginia Tech with 25 points. Lawal scored 22, with six rebounds and five assists.
Bethea scored 15 for Miami and Austin Swartz had 12 as the other Hurricanes in double figures. Miami shot a scintillating 58.9 percent from the floor and made eight of their 17 3-point attempts. Virginia Tech shot 54.2 percent from the floor and made 9-of-20 3-point attempts and shot 13-of-15 from the free throw line.
Miami is home for the next two games. Florida State travels to Coral Gables on Wednesday and Miami hosts Wake Forest next Saturday. Florida State is 9-4 and is at Syracuse later on Saturday. The Seminoles have beaten the Hurricanes 12 out of the last 13 times they have played.