CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — In a thrilling conclusion, Boopie Miller netted two crucial 3-pointers in the last nine seconds, including a dramatic buzzer-beater, leading SMU to a surprising 54-52 victory over Virginia on Wednesday evening.

The Mustangs, who had previously been ahead by seven points going into the final five minutes, found themselves struggling as they failed to score for 4 and a half minutes. This allowed Virginia to take the lead at 50-45 with just 31 seconds remaining. B.J. Edwards sparked a comeback for the Mustangs, sinking a 3-pointer that narrowed the gap to 50-48 with only 25 seconds left on the clock.

With Ishan Sharma successfully converting both attempts from the free-throw line, Miller followed up with a clutch 3-pointer to close in on Virginia at 52-51 with just nine seconds left. The Cavaliers had a chance to extend their lead when Taine Miller missed the front half of a one-and-one opportunity with seven seconds remaining, prompting SMU to call a timeout with merely four seconds on the clock. Miller received the in-bounds pass just in front of the SMU bench, dribbled for a moment, and then executed a stunning 3-pointer just before time expired to secure the win.

Despite Virginia’s impressive 12-0 run that turned a 45-38 deficit into a five-point advantage in the closing minutes, the team could not hold on. Miller and Chuck Harris were both standout performers for SMU, contributing 12 points each, while Samet Yigitoglu added another 10 points. Remarkably, the Mustangs managed to turn around a dismal shooting performance from beyond the arc, where they were just 2 for 18, to hitting three pivotal 3s in the final minute of the game.

On Virginia’s side, Blake Buchanan led with 11 points and brought down an incredible 15 rebounds, while Sharma also scored 10 points. The Cavaliers struggled with their long-range shooting, making only 4 out of 26 3-point attempts but performed well at the line, hitting 12 out of 15 free throws.

The first half was tightly contested, showcasing four ties and four lead changes, culminating with SMU holding a narrow 27-25 lead at halftime.

This match followed their earlier encounter last month, where SMU triumphed 63-51 in Dallas during the teams’ first-ever meeting in the ACC. Virginia is looking to end their four-game losing streak when they visit Louisville on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Mustangs, riding high on success after winning 9 of their last 11 games, will be heading to Miami for their next challenge on Saturday.