2016 ACC Tournament: Virginia pulls away in second half, beats Georgia Tech 72-52

Following an up-and-down start, Virginia used another strong second-half run and 26-point effort from Malcolm Brogdon to beat Georgia Tech in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament, 72-52.

Given that the Yellow Jackets out-rebounded the Cavaliers 29-25, one could be forgiven for predicting a similar result to the teams' sole regular season meeting, a 68-84 Georgia Tech win in Atlanta on Jan. 9. It was, in part, a vastly-improved shooting percentage for UVa - 54 percent to 40 - that helped pave the way.

In the process of making yet another ACC tournament semifinal, the Cavaliers shot 7-14 from three, with four of their long balls coming in the second half.

Virginia had a stellar 1.24 points per possession, compared to the Jackets' .91.

Brogdon was two points shy of tying a career high. He shot a strong 10-15 from the floor and 3-6 from three, one of two Cavaliers in double figures along with Anthony Gill, who scored 12 points.

Gill led the Hoos (25-6) in rebounds with eight, followed by Devon Hall with five.

After going 18 years without a single semifinals appearance in the ACC tournament (1996-2013), UVa has reached their third straight for the first time since 1995.

They will play the winner of the Miami/Virginia Tech game on Friday night at 9 p.m.