CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Miami blew an early lead Monday night en route to its lowest point total since joining the ACC in 2004-05.
Reece Beekman had 16 points and seven assists and Jacob Groves added 12 points as Virginia stifled the Hurricanes, 60-38.
According to ESPN Stats & Information research, it was Miami's worst finish in the league since scoring 40 against the Cavaliers in February 2014. It was also the Hurricanes' lowest point total in any game since they reinstated their basketball program. men's basketball in 1985-86.
And it was all too much for Miami coach Jim Larrañaga, who was left alone on the bench during a timeout while his team met with his staff on the court. And after the game, his press conference wasn't much different.
“Okay, let's go. Does anyone have any questions?” she asked reporters, according to the Augusta (Virginia) Free Press newspaper.
When a reporter asked what had changed in a game in which the Hurricanes once led 7-2, Larrañaga responded: “The game. They just outplayed us in every aspect of the game. We didn't play well. They played very well. Thank you.” . you for your attention.”
And then he left the room.
“We just kept working and I thought it was a really complete performance,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. “We moved hard on offense and tried to play very hard on defense.”
Virginia (18-5, 9-3 ACC) has won seven straight games overall, the longest active streak in the conference, and has now won an NCAA-leading 23 in a row at home. The Cavaliers improved to 114-2 when allowing 50 points or fewer in the Bennett era.
“We really try to focus on not letting them have things in transition,” Bennett said.
Beekman gave Virginia a double-digit lead with 4:08 left in the first half and Miami trailed by at least 12 the entire second half. The Cavaliers started the second half on an 18-4 run and then held Miami to just five field goals the rest of the game.
Miami, a Final Four team last season, finished 14 of 49 (28.6%) from the field, including 0 of 10 from long range in the second half.
Isaac McKneely had nine points, six rebounds and four assists for Virginia. Ryan Dunn added eight points and eight rebounds. The Cavaliers had 20 assists on 26 field goals.
Norchad Omier had 11 points and 13 rebounds for his 12th double-double of the season for Miami (15-8, 6-6). Wooga Poplar added eight points.
The road doesn't get any easier for hurricanes. Miami will host No. 3 North Carolina on Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
