Miami walked out with a loss Saturday, but also with proof it can play winning basketball against a top-tier team. No. 14 Virginia needed a last-possession whistle and three free throws from freshman point guard Chance Mallory to escape with an 86-83 win.
FINAL | Miami 83, UVA 86
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) February 21, 2026
Miami falls to No. 14 Virginia 86-83
Mallory drew a foul on a 3-point attempt with 3.6 seconds left and made all three at the line, snapping Miami's four-game win streak and pushing Virginia to its eighth straight win.
If you're Miami, the frustration is understandable. The Hurricanes did a lot of good things on Saturday. They hit 9 of 18 from 3-point range, went 16 of 17 at the free-throw line and won the glass 30-23, including 12 offensive boards. The three point percentage and free throw percentage were both huge considering Miami isn't exactly elite in either area.
They also had multiple chances down the stretch. Miami led 24-13 after a 17-2 run in the first half, then went back in front 44-39 at the break after scoring the final eight points of the half.
Virginia shot 58% from the field (29 of 50) and matched Miami's 50% mark from deep by hitting 12 of 24 threes. Jacari White came off the bench and scored 17 points, going 5 of 8 from 3-point range, while Sam Lewis had 15 and Thijs De Ridder added 14.
Shelton Henderson and Tre Donaldson led the Hurricanes with 18 points apiece. Malik Reneau finished with 16, while Tru Washington added 15 and helped Miami stay in it with timely shot-making. Ernest Udeh Jr. was a factor inside with nine rebounds and four blocks, and Miami's offensive rebounding kept creating extra possessions.
Miami briefly moved ahead 71-70 on a Reneau basket with 5:27 left, before the Cavaliers answered again. A Dallin Hall reverse layup and White's fifth 3-pointer of the day helped Virginia build an 83-79 lead with 1:11 to play. Miami still pushed it to the final possession, but Virginia's Mallory earned the three-shot foul and finished it at the stripe.
The larger takeaway is that the Hurricanes went toe-to-toe on the road with a ranked Virginia team that is now 24-3 overall and 12-2 in ACC play. Miami is now 21-6, 10-4 in the ACC, and could genuinely make some noise in the ACC tournament.
The Hurricanes are back on the road Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Florida State before returning home to host Boston College on Feb. 28.