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Dave Leitao’s team gave up 10 3-pointers at Miami. |
For the second straight ACC road game, Virginia strayed from its winning blueprint – defend, rebound, and make enough key shots. And for the second straight ACC road game, the Cavaliers returned to Charlottesville with a disappointing loss. This time, it was host Miami that came out with the win as it handed a 68-60 upset to the No. 24 Hoos.
“We had breakdowns in each aspect of the game. Offense, defense, rebounding, energy. The whole thing,” Leitao told the Virginia Sports Network after the game.
Just 11 days after an abysmal away performance at Virginia Tech (57.7% shooting and 9 offensive rebounds), the Hoos returned to the road and repeated the same mistakes in the second half against Miami.
Against the Canes, the Cavaliers let a 12-point lead slip away by breaking down in two of Dave Leitao’s most emphasized categories: defense and defensive rebounding. The Hoos allowed the Hurricanes to shoot 55.6 percent from 3-point range (10 of 18).
UVa also gave up 18 offensive rebounds, which led to numerous second chance points for Miami. The Canes had 14 O-boards after the half. The Hoos, who allowed 45 points in the second half against Miami in Charlottesville, gave up 42 after intermission in the road rematch. That included a 26-12 Hurricane advantage over the final 12:30 of the game.
“I told the team early in the first half, especially told them at halftime, and before the game and for two days [before], that they, especially on the offensive glass as of late, have done a great job,” Leitao said. “In the second half, the really handed it to us.”
Despite the breakdowns, the game was a nip and tuck affair throughout the final minutes. In fact, the teams came out of the final media timeout at 3:38 deadlocked at 58. Neither team could break the tie until less than 1:30 remained when Jack McClinton hit a “prayer 3” according to UVa announcer Mac McDonald.
Virginia’s J.R. Reynolds cut the lead to one at 61-60 by making two free throws with 52 seconds to play. Needing a stop to set up a potential game-winning shot attempt, the Cavaliers couldn’t get one. Miami’s Frank Haith called a timeout with 25.7 seconds to play and 9 seconds on the shot clock. The play went to McClinton and he delivered again, draining another 3-pointer that put UVa away.
“That’s how we’ve won some games is by making stops, particularly at the end of basketball games,” Leitao said. “We really didn’t do any of that today.”
In the end, poor shooting also wrecked the Cavaliers’ night. The Hoos shot just 39.1 percent from the field (7 of 21 3-pointers) and 68 percent from the free throw line. Sean Singletary made 7 of 16 shots and 2 of 4 free throws to finish with 17 points (1 assist, 4 turnovers). Reynolds made 2 of 7 shots and 8 of 11 free throws for 13 points to go with 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 turnovers. Jamil Tucker did provide a second-half lift with a trio of 3-pointers, including one that gave the Cavs a 54-53 lead. He had 11 points and 5 rebounds.
For Miami, McClinton finished with 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range. Anthony Harris made 3 of 7 treys to log 11 points to go with 6 assists. Brian Asbury chipped in 11 points and 6 rebounds, while Dwayne Collins posted a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds.
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