Mike Scott really wants to play in an NCAA Tournament.
The senior scored a career-high 35 points, including seven in overtime, to lead Virginia to a tough 75-72 win at Maryland in the regular-season finale for both teams.
The win improves UVa. to 22-8 overall and 9-7 in the ACC and clinches the fourth seed for the Cavs in next week’s ACC Tournament. The victory also solidifies Virginia’s NCAA Tournament resume, which had been on shaky footing following back-to-back home losses to North Carolina and Florida State.
Scott personally saw to it that the ‘Hoos would keep themselves on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, hitting a pair of jumpers – at the 2:21 mark and 1:50 mark, respectively – after Maryland (16-14, 6-10 ACC) had cut the lead to two in the extra session.
A Terrell Stoglin three with 44 seconds left cut the Virginia lead to 69-67, but Jontel Evans broke free on a screen-and-roll for an easy layup at the 19-second mark to extend the lead to 71-67.
Nick Faust missed a contested three with 11 seconds left, and Joe Harris drained two free throws to extend the lead to six. Harris then fouled Stoglin on a three-point jumper to give Maryland a brief lease on life, but Stoglin missed the first of the ensuing three free throws.
Scott made two free throws with four seconds left to ice it. Stoglin made a three at the buzzer to end it.
The Terps rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final 8:11 to tie the game at 61 on a Stoglin three to force the OT.
Virginia led 31-22 at the half.
Scott’s 35 points came on 11-of-20 shooting from the field and 13-of-18 shooting from the free-throw line. Sammy Zeglinski added 20 points for Virginia, which played with just seven scholarship players on the roster with Malcolm Brogdon missing his second straight game with a foot injury.
Stoglin led Maryland with 25 points.
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