Pedulla hits 1,000 for career, but Hokies fall
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Matthew Cleveland had 15 points and 13 rebounds, five Miami players scored in double figures and the Hurricanes defeated Virginia Tech 82-74 Saturday.
The loss spoiled a milestone for Hokies guard Sean Pedulla, who surpassed 1,000 career points with a teambest 21 in the game.
Norchad Omier and Kyshawn George led Miami with 16 points each. Nijel Pack and Bensley Joseph added 14 each.
The Hurricanes trailed by 10 points near the 12-minute mark of the second half. A 9-0 Miami run that started with a layup from Joseph and finished with a 3-pointer by Joseph gave the Hurricanes (15-7, 6-5 ACC) their first lead in 19 minutes of play at 60-59 with 6:47 remaining.
The Hokies (13-9, 5-6) responded with a couple of free throws from Hunter Cattoor and back-to-back baskets by Pedulla for a 65-60 advantage. Miami answered defensively and forced a series of turnovers by the Hokies, as Pedulla had four of them, and Tech attempted only three shots in the next 4 minutes. A dunk by Cleveland capped a 9-0 run that gave Miami a 75-67 lead with 58 seconds remaining.
The Hurricanes outscored the visitors by 11 points at the freethrow line in the first 34 minutes, and the advantage grew down the stretch when Virginia Tech chose to foul four times in the final minute. Miami made 7 of 8 free throws in the final 49 seconds and was 27 for 29 in the game. Virginia Tech made 7 of 14 from the line.
Cattoor had 19 points for the Hokies. Robbie Beran and Tyler Nickel scored 10 each.
The Hokies outshot the Hurricanes 46.7% to 34.6% in the first half.
Miami will play at Virginia on Monday. The Hokies will play at Notre Dame on Saturday.