Virginia came all the way back from a 23-point first-half deficit to take a one-point lead in the final minute. A mystifyingly bad call on an airball in the lane sent Carleigh Wenzel to the free-throw line with 1.7 seconds left, she made both, and Sa’Myah Smith missed a desperation three at the buzzer, sending the ‘Hoos to an 83-82 defeat in their regular-season finale.
“That one hurts. We wanted to win that game for many reasons,” UVA coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton said after the defeat, which leaves Virginia (19-10, 11-7 ACC, NET: 36) stuck at 11 wins in the ACC, after back-to-back home losses this week.
Kymora Johnson led Virginia with 26 points, 25 of those coming in the second half.
Virginia Tech (22-8, 12-6 ACC, NET: 42) led 39-16 with 5:25 to go in the second quarter, but the Cavaliers closed the quarter on a 12-4 run to get to down 15, at 43-28, at the break.
A big third quarter, fueled by 16 points from Johnson, got Virginia within four, at 61-57, going into the fourth, and it was a tight battle from there.
UVA would take the lead on a Paris Clark free throw with 24 seconds left.
Tech had the ball with a chance to hold for the last shot and the win. Mackenzie Nelson missed a three with nine ticks on the clock, and after a scramble for the loose ball, the Hokies were awarded possession, after a video review.
The inbounds pass went to Wenzel in the left corner, and she got into the lane for a runner, which missed badly.
Romi Levy, defending on the play, was whistled for a foul, which, no, sorry, but, no – no foul there.
Wenzel, who finished with 29 points, made both ends.
Aguga-Hamilton called timeout to advance the ball, and set up a play.
Smith wasn’t the first option, but with the ‘Hoos out of timeouts, and thus in need of getting the ball in play, it ended up in her hands.
Her final shot was nowhere near.
2026 ACC Tournament bracket
Wednesday, March 4 (First Round)
- Game 1: No. 13 Stanford vs. No. 12 Miami, ACCN, 11 a.m.
- Game 2: No. 15 Wake Forest vs. No. 10 California, ACCN, 1:30 p.m.
- Game 3: No. 14 Florida State vs. No. 11 Georgia Tech, ACCN, 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 5 (Second Round)
- Game 4: No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 8 Virginia, ACCN, 11 a.m.
- Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. No. 5 Notre Dame, ACCN, 1:30 p.m.
- Game 6: Winner Game 2 vs. No. 7 Syracuse, ACCN, 5 p.m.
- Game 7: Winner Game 3 vs. No. 6 Virginia Tech, ACCN, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 6 (Quarterfinals)
- Game 8: Winner Game 4 vs. No. 1 Duke, ESPN2, 11 a.m.
- Game 9: Winner Game 5 vs. No. 4 NC State, ACCN, 1:30 p.m.
- Game 10: Winner Game 6 vs. No. 2 Louisville, ESPN2, 5 p.m.
- Game 11: Winner Game 7 vs. No. 3 North Carolina, ACCN, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 (Semifinals)
- Game 12: Winners Games 9 vs. 8, ESPN2, Noon
- Game 13: Winners Games 11 vs. 10, ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 8 (Championship)
- Game 14: Winners Games 12 vs. 13, ESPN, 1 p.m.
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Chris Graham
