BLACKSBURG – Matthew Cleveland scored 21 points, Nijel Pack added 19 and Miami held off Virginia Tech for a 75-71 victory on Saturday night.
Sean Pedulla's 3-pointer with 21.5 seconds left pulled Virginia Tech within 74-71. The Hokies forced a turnover on the next possession, but MJ Collins missed a potential game-tying 3 with seven seconds to go.
A pair of Pedulla free throws gave the Hokies their last lead, 54-53, with 7:55 to play. The game was tied three more times, the last at 66-all with 2:45 remaining.
Cleveland and Pack shot a combined 14 of 23 from the field. Pack made three 3-pointers to go with a team-high eight rebounds and five assists. Wooga Poplar added 11 points, also making three from distance for Miami (12-4, 3-2 ACC).
The Hurricanes shot 65% (15 of 23) from the floor in the second half, hitting six 3s and 10 of 14 from the free-throw line.
Pedulla, who averaged 29 points in his last two outings, had career highs with 33 points and 10 rebounds. It was his second career double-double. Lynn Kidd added 16 points for the Hokies (10-6, 2-3).
Pedulla scored 16 of Virginia Tech's 30 first-half points as the Hokies took a one-point lead into the break. Cleveland scored 12 points and Pack had 10 for Miami.
Virginia Tech, which beat No. 21 Clemson 87-72 on Wednesday, now hits the road for next Wednesday's Commonwealth Clash presented by Smithfield with rival Virginia. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. from John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville.
Gallery: (1-13-2024) MBB: Miami Game