Angel Rodriguez made sure Miami stayed alive in the 2016 ACC Tournament.
The senior point guard hit a trio of threes, assisted on another, and converted a fast-break layup to fuel a 15-2 ‘Canes run that broke open a close game and lifted The U to an 88-82 win over Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday.
Tech (19-14, 11-9 ACC) had rallied from a 10-point late-first-half deficit to lead 36-35 with 18:45 to go in the game on a pair of free throws by Jalen Hudson.
Rodriguez hit a three 13 seconds later to give Miami (25-6, 14-5 ACC) the lead, then assisted on a three by Sheldon McClellan to push the margin to five.
Two more Rodriguez threes and a breakaway layup later, and UM’s lead was in the double digits, and it would remain there most of the rest of the way.
Virginia Tech would get the game back into the single digits late, but Miami closed the game out going 16-of-20 from the free-throw line in the final 4:52.
McClellan led Miami with 21 points, and Rodriguez added 19 and nine assists for the Hurricanes, who shot 56.6 percent from the field (30-of-56) and were 8-of-18 (44.4 percent) from three-point range.
Seth Allen had 31 for Virginia Tech, going 17-of-18 at the line.
The Hokies shot 49.1 percent from the field (26-of-53) but were just 2-of-9 (22.2 percent) from long-range.
Miami advances to the ACC Tournament semifinals to face Virginia Friday night at 9:30 p.m.
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