Virginia’s quest for ACC perfection came to an end with a stunning 61-60 overtime home loss to rival Virginia Tech. The second-ranked Cavaliers had been 12-0 in league play and were seeking to be the first ACC team to run the table since Duke did it in 1998-99.
Virginia’s quest for ACC perfection ends with 61-60 OT loss to Virginia Tech
Buzz Williams and the Hokies pulled off a season-changing upset in Charlottesville Saturday night.
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The Hokies had seemed to have control of things in regulation, owning a four-point lead with under a minute to play. But a missed free throw by Justin Robinson, a turnover, and back-to-back buckets by Virginia’s Ty Jerome sent the game to overtime.
The roles were revered in the extra period, with the hosts playing the role of the team unable to close. With just 39 seconds to go, UVA led, 59-54. But two missed free throws by Devon Hall, including the front end of a one-and-one, left the door open for Virginia Tech. The Hokies answered with a basket by Kerry Blackshear Jr., a three-pointer by Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and another score by Blackshear to go back on top.
Jerome’s desperation shot at the buzzer found nothing but backboard, and the celebration was on for Buzz Williams’ team.
The Cavaliers (23-2, 12-1), whose only loss prior to Saturday had been a 68-61 decision at West Virginia on Dec. 5, had been poised to replace Villanova as the No. 1 team in the country on Monday. The Wildcats lost at home to St. John’s earlier in the week. Despite the loss, UVA still owns a 2 1⁄2-game lead over Clemson in the ACC standings.
For Virginia Tech (18-7, 7-5), the rivalry win will serve as the crown jewel of a resume that had previously appeared destined for the NCAA tournament bubble.
The Hokies earned that victory by doing what few teams in the Tony Bennett era have been able to do against the Cavaliers: Make UVA’s pristine offense look clunky. The Hokies forced their hosts to hoist a season-high 38 three-pointers, and Virginia could only connect on 11 of them. For the game, UVA shot just 34.4 percent from the field.
In a series that dates back to 1914-15, Virginia still owns a 91-56 edge over its in-state foes. The Cavaliers had previously beaten Virginia Tech five straight times in Charlottesville and had won 10 of the last 12 games in the series overall.
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