Miami Basketball Wins 5th Straight with 65-49 Handling of Virginia Tech

Every. Single. ACC. Game. Is. Huge.

Despite being less than full strength, and a very slow start, the Miami Hurricanes earned their tenth conference win of the season with dominant second half in a 65-49 victory over Virginia Tech from the Bank United Center.

UM is now 7-0 at the BUC (10-3 overall) in Atlantic Coast play.

The first half was filled with lots of clangs, not to mention a lot of odd non calls on both ends of the floor by the refs.

As a result, the two teams started a combined 5-22, and it was just 6-6 8 minutes in.

That's when the whistles finally picked up and Miami's Sheldon McClellan, as well as Zach Leday and Seth Allen of VT, (the game's three leading scorers) all picked up 2 quick fouls.

Already down Ja'Quan Newton (illness) and facing an active Hokies zone, UM's offense really struggled in the opening 20.

In the final 2 minutes of the half, there were numerous helter skelter sequences, littered with heavy contact, no calls, sloppy play, and yet great effort.

And at the intermission it was 22-21 VT.

In the second half, the Hurricanes were done playing around.

An 11-2 run featuring an Angel Rodriguez steal and finish, and capped by a McClellan triple (his first FG of the game)  gave UM control.

The Hokies fought back,  closing it to 6 on a three by Justin Bibbs.

But a Tonye Jekiri post move, another lay in by Rodriguez, and one inside for McClellan, made it 43-33 'Canes with just under 10 to go.

UM smelled blood, and capitalized.

Jekiri's and one stretched the lead to 15, and 2 spectacular plays by Davon Reed capped the night.

Reed first scored on a sweet cross and finish.

The following a steal and a look ahead by James Palmer, Reed went with a windmill, backward, two handed dunk to bring the crowd to their feet.

That was that!

Coming down the stretch, the Hurricanes remain poised to not only make the NCAA Tournament, but earn a high seed.

Who knows, if they keep up with efforts like tonight, they may even win the ACC.