CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — Virginia overcame a five-point halftime deficit to edge Miami 86-83 in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers, trailing 44-39 at the break, outscored the Hurricanes 47-39 in the second half to secure the victory before a crowd of 14,637. Jacari White led Virginia with 17 points and five assists. Chance Mallory added 12 points, six rebounds and six assists. Miami was led by Shelton Henderson with 18 points and Tre Donaldson, who scored 18 points and dished seven assists. The Hurricanes had won three straight. Virginia improved to 24-3 overall. Miami fell to 21-6.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — In a high-stakes Atlantic Coast Conference clash defined by razor-thin margins and explosive offensive efficiency, the Virginia Cavaliers erased a five-point halftime deficit to edge the Miami Hurricanes 86-83 on Saturday afternoon at a sold-out John Paul Jones Arena. The game, played before a crowd of 14,637, was a dramatic departure from the typically defensive-minded contests associated with these programs, as both teams shot better than 50% from the field and combined to make 21 three-pointers. Miami, the visiting team, controlled the first half behind a blistering shooting performance, taking a 44-39 lead into the break. The Hurricanes connected on 9 of 18 from beyond the arc in the opening period, with guard Tru Washington scoring 15 of his 15 points before halftime. Virginia, meanwhile, stayed within striking distance thanks to 12 first-half points from Sam Lewis. The second half saw a decisive shift. Virginia’s offense, which posted a staggering 133.2 offensive rating for the game, found another gear, outscoring Miami 47-39 after intermission. The Cavaliers shot 58% from the field in the half, systematically dismantling Miami’s early advantage. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final three seconds. With the score tied at 83, Miami’s Malik Reneau was stripped of the ball by Virginia’s Thijs De Ridder near midcourt. De Ridder quickly passed to Chance Mallory, who was fouled by Miami’s Tre Donaldson while attempting a desperation three-pointer as time expired. The officials reviewed the play and confirmed the foul occurred with 0.3 seconds on the clock, sending Mallory, a Charlottesville native, to the free-throw line for three shots with the game in the balance. The 5-foot-10 guard calmly sank all three free throws, silencing the anxious home crowd and sealing the dramatic victory. Mallory finished with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists, but his clutch performance at the line was the defining moment. Jacari White led Virginia with 17 points and five assists, while De Ridder added 14 points. The Cavaliers’ interior defense was anchored by 7-footer Johann Gruenloh, who scored 12 points and recorded five blocks. Miami was led by a balanced attack. Shelton Henderson scored 18 points, Tre Donaldson added 18 points and seven assists, and Malik Reneau contributed 16 points. The Hurricanes dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 10 rebounds to Virginia’s three, and scored 40 points in the paint. However, they could not counter Virginia’s second-half shooting barrage or overcome the final, costly turnover. The victory improved Virginia’s record to 24-3 overall and extended its winning streak. The Cavaliers, who were an 8-point pregame favorite, overcame a projected 81.7% win probability to secure the result. Miami, which had won four of its last five games, fell to 21-6. Despite the loss, Miami’s offensive metrics were strong, posting a 121.9 offensive rating. The game’s combined point total of 169 vastly exceeded the over/under line of 145.5, highlighting the unexpected offensive showcase. Virginia next hosts North Carolina State on Tuesday. Miami travels to face Florida State, also on Tuesday.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — A pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball showdown is set for Saturday when Virginia hosts Miami (FL) at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers (23-3, 14-2 ACC), riding a nine-game winning streak, will face a surging Hurricanes squad (21-5, 12-4) that has won seven of its last eight. The matchup features two of the league’s top teams battling for postseason positioning in late February. Virginia, known for its methodical pace and suffocating pack-line defense, is coming off a dominant 94-68 road win at Georgia Tech. A key player for the Cavaliers is forward Thijs De Ridder, who scored 22 points in just 21 minutes in that victory. Over his last eight games, De Ridder has averaged 15.8 points, including a 32-point outburst in a double-overtime win at Notre Dame on Jan. 27. Miami counters with high-scoring guard Tre Donaldson, who is in the midst of a stellar stretch. Donaldson is averaging 17.9 points over his last seven contests, capped by a career-high 32 points in Tuesday’s narrow 67-66 home win over Virginia Tech. His ability to create offense, both for himself and teammates, will be critical against Virginia’s staunch defense. The Hurricanes have shown resilience in close games, with their last three wins each coming by a single point. Their offense, which averages 77.2 points per game, will be tested by a Virginia defense that allows a nation-leading 55.8 points per contest. Virginia’s only conference loss at home this season was an 85-80 defeat to North Carolina on Jan. 24. Miami will look to replicate that up-tempo success, but must navigate a hostile environment where the Cavaliers are 13-1 this season. This game could have significant implications for the ACC regular-season title race and seeding for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.