Virginia Outlasts Clemson, 66-65

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson (14-7, 4-6 ACC) missed a potential game-winning 3-point try at the buzzer as the Virginia Cavaliers (17-5, 8-3 ACC) survived the Tigers, 66-65, on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 3) at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Cavaliers shot 44 percent (26 for 59) and out-rebounded the Tigers 38-33 in the contest. Jake Groves led Virginia with 17 points on 7 f0r 9 shooting. Reece Beekman, who recorded his 1000th career point in the second half, added 14 points, four assists and three steals. Isaac McKneely finished with 14 points and three rebounds and Jordan Minor contributed nine points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Following a back and forth sequence, the Cavaliers orchestrated an 11-2 run to take an 11-point lead with five minutes remaining in the first half. The Tigers countered with an 8-0 burst of their own, but Groves hit his third 3-pointer of the contest with one second left on the clock to send Virginia into the break with an eight-point advantage (34-26). The Cavaliers held the Tigers to 36 percent shooting (11 for 31 FG) and out-rebounded the home team 22-16 in the opening 20 minutes.

A 7-0 Clemson run early in the second half brought the Tigers within two, but a Minor layup broke the seal on three scoreless minutes for the Hoos. At the 12:49 mark, Beekman hit 1000 career points with a pair of free throws that grew the Virginia lead back to six points. A 10-2 Clemson run gave the Tigers their first lead since the early minutes of the opening half, but Virginia reclaimed the lead with just over four minutes remaining. The Tigers made seven free throws in the final three minutes of the game to shrink their deficit to only one point with seven seconds left. After Clemson missed a last-second 3-pointer, Dante Harris brought down the rebound to secure a 66-65 Virginia win.

UP NEXT
Virginia hosts Miami in ACC action on Feb. 5. Tipoff for the Big Monday clash and White Out at John Paul Jones Arena is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN.