Rapid Recap: Hoos drop fourth straight as Miami overcomes, 54-48, in OT

Virginia’s losing skid reached four games as the Hoos dropped a heartbreaker to Miami in overtime, 54-48.

Isaiah Wilkins forced overtime with two high-pressure free throws, including one after Miami tried to ice the shooter, as he notched his second career double-double (and second this season). In overtime, Devon Hall opened with a three pointer, but Miami got four points off of free throws (both on fouls called on Mamadi Diakite) to take a 47-46 lead with 1:04 remaining. The Hoos struggled again from the free throw line, going 65% from the charity stripe. Miami canned a three to give them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, and the Hoos couldn’t respond. Devon Hall led Virginia with 15 points, and Bruce Brown had 14 for the Canes.

Down 26-23 in the second half, Virginia looked lost offensively. Then, Devon Hall and the Hoos went off, scoring the next 12 points highlighted by a three by Hall, an old fashioned three-point play by Mamadi Diakite, and an alley-oop lob to Darius Thompson. Virginia went up 35-26, but stalled, allowing Miami to close the gap. A lay-in in traffic by Wilkins and a couple Hall free throws gave the Hoos a little breathing room with 3:38 to play, but Miami wouldn’t go away, tying the game at 40 with a minute left after a three by Vasiljevic.

Virginia’s offensive struggles of the last two games continued tonight early against Miami. Much like at North Carolina, the Hoos got good looks, but couldn’t get baskets to fall. Miami held a slim 20-19 lead at the half, led by DJ Vasiljevic with five points (three players had four). For Virginia, Isaiah Wilkins had six points in the first half with four rebounds, and Marial Shayok and London Perrantes each had four points. The Hoos shot just 33.3% from the field (20% from three). The only redeeming thing from the first half for Virginia was their defense, who held Miami to just 34.8% shooting, committed just five fouls, and had three steals and a block.

London Perrantes finished with just four points on 2-for-14 shooting, including 0-for-4 from three, as his shooting slump continued. As a team, the Hoos shot 31.4% from the field and 25% from three. Miami didn’t light up the stat sheet, shooting 36.6% (21.1% from three) themselves, but it was enough to get the job done. With the loss, Virginia drops to 18-8 (8-7 ACC) on the season.

Before the game, Virginia honored Malcolm Brogdon as they hung his number in the rafters in John Paul Jones Arena. A video shown on the big board featured his current coach at the Milwaukee Bucks, Jason Kidd, former teammates Joe Harris and Anthony Gill, and Brogdon’s former high school coach. Virginia head coach Tony Bennett spoke to the crowd, thanking Malcolm for his dedication to the program saying, “I think this guy represents everything right about being a student athlete.” Brogdon took the mic, thanking his mother, his support, Coach Bennett, and the UVA team, telling the crowd that “it was one of the best decisions of my life to come to the University of Virginia.” Since Malcolm missed his Batten School graduation, he was presented with his diploma after the retirement ceremony.

At halftime, Wally Walker, Barry Parkhill, and Sean Singletary (minus Curtis Staples and Jeff Lamp who had video messages), joined Brogdon on the court as the all-retired jersey club. Oh and the halftime fast-painter dude made this:

Next up, the Hoos head to NC State on Saturday.