Jayden Gardner scored a game-high 23 points and collected seven rebounds and three blocked shots as Virginia rallied to defeat host Miami 74-71 in an Atlantic Coast Conference game on Saturday night.
Miami (19-8, 11-5 ACC) blew a 10-point second-half lead despite 20 points and a game-high four steals by Kameron McGusty.
Virginia (17-10, 11-6), which improved to 5-1 in its past six games, also got 17 points from Kihei Clark and 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds from Kadin Shedrick.
The Cavaliers have won six straight games in their series against Miami, including both contests this season.
The Hurricanes also got 15 points from Jordan Miller, 14 points from Charlie Moore and 10 points and seven rebounds from Isaiah Wong. Miami shot 41.8 percent from the field, including 6 of 17 from 3-point range.
Miami fell to 12-2 when leading at halftime and 10-4 at home.
Virginia made 49 percent of its shots and was 5 of 16 from behind the arc.
In the first half, Miami made its first five shots and grabbed a 12-4 lead. But Miami went on a 1-for-9 shooting slump, and Virginia battled back, taking a 28-25 lead on Shedrick’s three-point play with 6:17 left
But Miami closed the first half on a 13-2 run, taking a 38-30 lead into the break.
For the first half, Miami shot 45.2 percent from the floor, including 3 of 7 on 3-pointers. Miami also had a 4-0 edge in steals. Virginia shot 37 percent from the floor, including 1 of 8 on 3-pointers.
In the second half, Miami stretched its lead to 40-30 before Virginia went on a 23-4 run, taking a 53-44 lead with 12:13 left.
Miami never quite recovered, getting as close as 53-51 and 55-53.
For the game, Virginia made 19 of 25 free throws and Miami made all nine of its three throws. Miami had a 7-1 steals advantage.
–Field Level Media
