Miami Basketball Outlasts Virginia Thanks to Reed

Miami Basketball's hopes for an ACC regular season title are alive.

UM overcame a monster second half from Malcolm Brogdon who finished with 28, and thanks to Davon Reed's career high 21 points, held on in a 64-61 thriller Vs #3 Virginia.

The opening of this game was incredibly unusual, as there wasn't a single whistle nearly 8 minutes in.

But at the first break. UM led 8-7 thanks to a pair of trifectas from Reed, who would go on to a huge night.

Both teams were sharp with the ball, if not their shooting.

However, after the initial media time out, the D on both ends rose a level.

Every pass and shot was contested as two very impressive clubs limped to a 13 all tie at the 8 minute mark.

UM took a slight lead thanks to a couple more triples, one each for Sheldon McClellan and Ivan Cruz Uceda.

The lead could have been substantially more, but Anthony Gill was a terror on the offensive glass for UVA.

Nonetheless the Hurricanes kept fighting, and thanks to a running three by McClellan at the buzzer, led 30-25 at the intermission.

It was a prelude to an amazingly exciting second half.

Miami opened the final stanza on fire as Angel Rodriguez nailed a bomb, and Reed hit two more to temporarily extend to a 10 point lead.

But Brogdon got loose for  few quick buckets and the defensive glass continued to hamper UM, and before you knew it the Hoos cut  the lead back down to 2.

Brogdon did not miss in the second half until the final minute.

And the final 20 minutes were back and forth from there on out, and also very physical.

At one point UM Head Coach Jim Larranaga was livid after a horrendous non call on a Ja'Quan Newton drive was compounded by a touch foul on the other end in Virginia's favor.

It was one of many bad non calls that went against the Hurricanes that also had the home crowd incensed.

To be fair, it was a tough game to officiate.

But despite the adversity, the 'Canes responded.

A McClellan triple gave Miami a 4 point lead at the 8 minute mark, but Mike Tobey gave the 'Hoos their 13th offensive rebound of the game a moment later to cut right back into it.

It was nip and tuck, but Reed kept scoring, and his fifth triple of the game made it 60-52 with just over 3 to go.

Brogdon nailed a three just a minute later to again slice into the UM advantage.

The Hoos leading scorer finally missed one that would have tied it with under a minute to go, and the Hurricanes made just enough FT's down the stretch to salt this one away.

It was high stress in Coral Gables, but arguably the most important win of the season.

Miami is now just a half game back of UNC for the conference lead.   They also has another very impressive notch toward March Madness seeding.

Reed's previous career high was 19, achieved 4 times.

Next Up: The 'Canes face #11 Louisville on Saturday at the BUC.