CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — Virginia used a dominant second half to defeat Miami 84-62 in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball game Friday at Spectrum Center. The Cavaliers, who led 38-23 at halftime, shot 52.5% from the floor and made 11 3-pointers. Ugonna Onyenso led Virginia with 17 points and four blocks. Thijs De Ridder and Sam Lewis each added 16 points. The Hurricanes shot just 38.6% overall and 4 of 20 from 3-point range. Tru Washington led Miami with 13 points. Virginia improved to 29-4 overall. Miami fell to 25-8.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Virginia Cavaliers used a dominant defensive performance and a balanced offensive attack to overwhelm the Miami Hurricanes 84-62 in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball game Friday night at Spectrum Center. The victory in the conference tournament setting improved Virginia’s season record to 29-4, while Miami fell to 25-8. The game was a rematch of a Feb. 21 contest in Charlottesville, which Virginia also won by a narrow three-point margin. This meeting, however, lacked any such drama as the Cavaliers seized control early and never relented. The most important part of the game was Virginia’s stifling first-half defense, which set a tone of physical control from which Miami never recovered. The Hurricanes, who entered the contest averaging over 78 points per game, were held to a season-low 23 points in the opening half. Miami’s offense was disjointed and rushed, shooting a dismal percentage from the floor while committing nine turnovers against a relentless Virginia defense anchored by 7-foot center Ugonna Onyenso. Onyenso, a native of Owerri, Nigeria, was the game’s most impactful player. In 27 minutes, he scored 17 points, grabbed four rebounds and recorded four blocked shots. His presence in the paint altered countless Miami attempts and provided a foundational security for the Cavaliers’ perimeter defenders. His consecutive blocks on Shelton Henderson midway through the first half epitomized Virginia’s defensive stranglehold, snuffing out a promising Miami fast break and preserving what was then a 10-4 lead. Virginia’s offense, while not explosive, was ruthlessly efficient in building its lead. The Cavaliers closed the first half on a decisive 15-5 run over the final 4:35, turning a 23-20 edge into a commanding 38-23 halftime advantage. The run featured contributions from across the roster, including a three-pointer from Thijs De Ridder, a tip-in by Dallin Hall and a deep three-pointer at the halftime buzzer from Chance Mallory. Mallory, a 5-foot-10 guard from Charlottesville, Virginia, orchestrated the Cavaliers’ attack with precision. He finished with 12 points and a game-high six assists, repeatedly breaking down Miami’s defense and finding open teammates. His backcourt partner, Malik Thomas of Fontana, California, provided a scoring punch with 15 points, including a crucial three-pointer and a dunk during a second-half stretch that pushed Virginia’s lead to 20. De Ridder, from Antwerp, Belgium, and Sam Lewis of Chicago, Illinois, each added 16 points for Virginia. De Ridder’s versatility was on display with three assists and a block, while Lewis hit four three-pointers, often to halt any semblance of Miami momentum. The Hurricanes showed brief signs of life after halftime, cutting the deficit to 45-38 following a three-pointer from Noam Dovrat with 11:47 remaining. But Virginia responded with the knockout blow, a 13-2 run over the next three minutes. The surge was capped by another Lewis three-pointer, assisted by Mallory, pushing the lead back to 58-40 and effectively ending any comeback hopes. Miami was led by Tru Washington of Phoenix, Arizona, who scored 13 points. Dante Allen of Miami added nine points, and Malik Reneau, also from Miami, was held to eight points. The Hurricanes shot poorly across the board and were outrebounded by the more physical Cavaliers. Virginia’s systematic dismantling of a talented Miami squad underscored its status as a contender for the ACC title. The Cavaliers’ defense, ranked among the nation’s best, translated its regular-season identity to the postseason stage, while an unselfish offense capitalized on the opportunities that defense created. The game was played before a sparse crowd at the neutral site. Virginia, which entered as a 3.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, easily covered the spread. The combined score of 146 points fell under the pregame over/under line of 144.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — A high-stakes rematch with ACC championship implications is set for Friday when Virginia faces Miami in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball semifinal at Spectrum Center. The Cavaliers (28-4), the tournament’s top seed, narrowly defeated the fourth-seeded Hurricanes (25-7) 86-83 in Charlottesville just three weeks ago. That result, coupled with Virginia’s superior record, has established Tony Bennett’s squad as a 3.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 144 points. Virginia, which advanced with an 81-74 win over North Carolina State on Thursday, is led by forward Thijs De Ridder. He scored 14 points in the previous meeting with Miami and is averaging 15.1 points over his last seven games. His inside presence will be critical against a physical Miami frontcourt. The Hurricanes, coming off a 78-73 victory over Louisville, are powered by forward Malik Reneau. He scored 16 points in the loss at Virginia and is averaging 18.4 points in his last five contests. His ability to score in the paint and facilitate, as shown by his 26-point, 6-rebound performance at NC State last month, is central to Miami’s attack. Virginia’s defense, which allows a nation-low 54.8 points per game, will be tested by a Miami offense averaging 77.3. The Cavaliers’ system, however, has consistently frustrated the Hurricanes, who have lost eight of the last ten meetings. The winner advances to Saturday’s conference championship game, bolstering its case for a high seed in the NCAA tournament. For Miami, it’s a chance for redemption. For Virginia, it’s an opportunity to affirm its conference dominance and secure a 29th win. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT.