Beekman’s Clutch 3-Pointer Knocks Off No. 7 Duke, 69-68

DURHAM, N.C. — Virginia guard Reece Beekman knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner with 1.1 seconds remaining in Monday’s game (Feb. 7) as the Cavaliers (15-9, 9-5 ACC) knocked off No. 7 Duke (19-4, 9-3 ACC) 69-68 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Virginia dominated the paint, out-scoring the Blue Devils 52-28 in the interior. The Cavaliers also converted 15 Duke turnovers into 20 points, while the Blue Devils only scored two points off five UVA turnovers. Virginia tallied 10 steals, including four from Armaan Franklin, who tied his career high.

Jayden Gardner (17 points, 8 rebounds), Kadin Shedrick (16 points, 8-8 FG) and Franklin (11 points) all scored in double figures for the Cavaliers. Shedrick made all eight of his field goal attempts to achieve his career high in scoring.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Virginia utilized a 17-3 run towards the end of the first half to grasp a 32-20 lead with 2:18 remaining. The Blue Devils orchestrated a 9-2 run to cut the UVA lead to 34-29 at the half. Virginia led for 14:58 of game time in the first 20 minutes of play, while Duke led for just 1:10. The Cavaliers were superior inside, scoring 26 of their 34 first-half points in the paint, while Duke scored just 12 points inside. Virginia forced six Blue Devil turnovers, five of which were Virginia steals, that resulted in 11 UVA points. Gardner and Franklin led the Cavaliers in scoring with eight points apiece in the first half. Gardner also pulled down seven of his eight rebounds in the opening half.

The Cavaliers maintained their lead through the first 16 minutes of the second half, but a made jumper by the Blue Devils gave Duke its first lead (64-63) since the 10:48 mark of the first half. Duke tied for its largest lead of the game after going up 66-63 with 2:49 to play, capping a 7-0 run. After a Beekman layup attempt was blocked with just under 2:00, Beekman snuck behind the Duke ballhandler in the backcourt, collected his second steal and scored to tie the game, 66-66. A pair of made free throws gave the Blue Devils the lead once again with 1:28 to play. After numerous missed shots by both teams in the final 80 seconds, Duke grabbed a defensive rebound with eight seconds remaining, but Kihei Clark (8 points, 9 assists) immediately wrapped his hands around the ball and the official signaled for a jump ball with the possession arrow pointing at UVA’s basket. Attempting to inbound the ball under their own hoop, the Cavaliers called timeout twice before Clark caught the ball in the near corner on the inbound pass from Beekman. Clark then dribbled two paces towards the top of the key before dishing the ball to Beekman, who was left open and drilled the game-winning 3-pointer from the corner in the waning seconds of Monday’s contest. With 1.1 seconds remaining, the Blue Devils heaved the ball to the opposite end of the court and put up a contested 3-pointer, but it bounced off the side of the backboard as time expired.

THE GAME BALL GOES TO:
Reece Beekman. Beekman’s game-winner handed the Cavaliers their first victory over a ranked opponent this season. His game-winning shot was just the second made 3-pointer by Virginia, which attempted 12 3’s on the night. Beekman only scored seven points in Monday’s contest, but all three of his made field goals either tied the game or gave UVA the lead. His game-winning shot in the final seconds marks the second game-winner of his career, having also swished a 3-pointer as time expired in the first round of last year’s ACC Tournament, when the Cavaliers eliminated Syracuse (March 11) in a 72-69 decision. Beekman also posted two steals on the night, including a clutch one with 1:48 to play, to extend his steal streak to 14 games.

UP NEXT
Virginia hosts Georgia Tech (10-12, 3-8 ACC) in ACC action on Saturday, Feb. 12. Tipoff at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN2.