Virginia vs Miami Results: Chance Mallory Free Throws Lift No. 14 Virginia Past Miami 86-83 in ACC Thriller

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Chance Mallory drew a foul on a three point attempt with 3.6 seconds remaining and converted all three free throws to give No. 14 Virginia an 86-83 victory over Miami on Saturday night at John Paul Jones Arena, preserving the Cavaliers’ position near the top of the ACC standings.

The breaking update delivers major conference impact as Virginia improved to 24-3 overall and 12-2 in ACC play, extending its winning streak to eight games while denying Miami a potential Quad 1 resume boost.

Mallory scored all 12 of his points in the second half, none bigger than the three decisive free throws after racing up court in the final seconds. With the score tied 83-83 following Malik Reneau’s layup with 7 seconds left, Mallory took the inbounds pass, crossed half court and elevated into contact behind the arc. He calmly delivered from the line to secure the win.

Jacari White led Virginia with 17 points off the bench, hitting five three pointers. Sam Lewis added 15 points and Thijs De Ridder scored 14 as the Cavaliers relied on perimeter shooting to offset Miami’s advantage on the glass.

Miami, now 21-6 and 10-4 in the ACC, received 18 points each from Shelton Henderson and Tre Donaldson. The Hurricanes controlled the rebounding margin 30-23 and dominated second chance production 18-2, a statistical edge that kept them within reach throughout.

The latest momentum shift unfolded in stages. Miami built an early 11 point lead and carried a 44-39 advantage into halftime after scoring the final eight points of the first half. Virginia responded with improved ball movement and shot selection after the break. With the game tied at 59 with 11:33 to play, Mallory and De Ridder fueled a surge that pushed the Cavaliers ahead 68-61, their largest lead of the night.

Miami countered with timely drives and interior scoring to force a back and forth finish. The Hurricanes’ ability to generate second chance opportunities highlighted a physical edge, but late execution at the foul line proved decisive.

Beyond the box score, the night carried historical significance. Virginia honored former national championship coach Tony Bennett in a pregame ceremony, unveiling a court logo bearing his signature. Several former players joined Bennett during the recognition, adding emotional context to a game with conference implications.

From a standings perspective, the result keeps Virginia in second place in the ACC, ahead of Miami, and strengthens its NCAA tournament seeding outlook. The Cavaliers’ improved perimeter efficiency and late game composure reflect growth as postseason play approaches. Miami, meanwhile, remains firmly in contention but missed an opportunity to climb in conference positioning and enhance its tournament resume.

What this means moving forward centers on consistency in high leverage moments. Virginia continues to demonstrate poise in close games, a trait that historically translates in March. Miami’s outlook will depend on tightening defensive rotations and converting rebounding advantages into efficient half court offense.

Next steps include Miami traveling to Florida State on Tuesday, while Virginia hosts North Carolina State. This breaking update will be revised as conference standings and national rankings are updated.