CORAL GABLES, Fla. — In a compelling matchup on Wednesday night, Virginia triumphed over Miami with a score of 82-71, driven by standout performances from Isaac McKneely and Taine Murray.
McKneely led the way for Virginia, contributing 26 points on a shooting spree of 9 for 17, including a strong 6 of 12 from beyond the arc.
Murray showcased an impressive performance, netting a personal-best 20 points by hitting 8 of 12 shots and 4 of 6 from three-point territory.
Furthermore, Murray’s seven assists marked another career milestone for the freshman.
Blake Buchanan rounded off Virginia’s notable scoring with 16 points and nine rebounds, helping the Cavaliers improve to a record of 10-11 overall and 3-7 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The game had its tense moments, especially in the second half, where Miami narrowed the gap to just four points on two occasions.
Each time, McKneely swiftly responded with crucial three-pointers.
His second trey propelled Virginia ahead 67-60 with just over four minutes remaining in the game.
McKneely continued his scoring spree, adding another seven points as the Cavaliers pulled ahead 74-64 with only two minutes left on the clock.
Despite Miami’s efforts to mount a comeback, closing the score to 76-71 with just 49 seconds, Virginia held their ground with four successful free throws from Ishan Sharma, coupled with two by Jacob Cofie, solidifying their victory.

For Miami, Matthew Cleveland was a bright spot, scoring a game-high 27 points.
Cleveland, who averages 15.1 points per game, has been on a scoring surge, tallying no less than 23 points in his last four appearances.
Brandon Johnson contributed 13 points for the Hurricanes, who now stand at a bleak 4-17 overall and remain winless in the ACC at 0-10.

The Cavaliers managed to secure the lead during a pivotal moment in the first half, going on a 14-2 run that shifted the momentum in their favor.
McKneely nailed three of his three-pointers in this stretch, while Dai Dai Ames added another long-range shot.
Murray then energized the team further, scoring five points in a subsequent 7-0 run that pushed Virginia to a 38-23 advantage with two minutes left in the first half, leading to a halftime score of 40-29.

Looking ahead, the Cavaliers are set to host Virginia Tech on Saturday, while Miami prepares to face off against Notre Dame.