Virginia Tech almost couldn’t hold off a game Miami squad, but a clutch three late by senior Malcolm Delaney helped push the Hokies to a tight 72-68 win over the ‘Canes on Sunday.
Tech (14-6, 4-3 ACC) led 40-30 at the half and maintained a seemingly comfortable six- to eight-point lead until the final six minutes. But Miami (12-9, 1-6 ACC) was able to get within one at 62-61 on a Garrius Adams three with 2:53 to go, and another Adams three with 1:26 to go narrowed the gap to 70-68.
A missed jumper by Delaney on the Hokies’ next possession gave UM the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead, but Adrian Thomas missed a pair of open three-point shots. Delaney hit one of two at the line to make it 71-68 with 16 seconds left, and Adams missed an off-balance three from the left wing with three seconds left. Terrell Bell made 1-of-2 at the line with two-tenths of a second left to close out the scoring.
Jeff Allen notched his 37th career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Virginia Tech. Durand Scott led Miami with 21 points.