BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech Hokies came away with a nail-biting 86-85 victory over the Miami Hurricanes at Cassell Coliseum this past Saturday, with Mylyjael Poteat playing the hero. Poteat scored a career-high 25 points, capping the game with a decisive layup and free throw with only 2.7 seconds left on the clock, sealing the Hokies' first victory of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) season.
The atmosphere was electric as Poteat executed his game-winning play, gathered from teammate Ben Hammond's assist before drawing the foul from Miami's Brandon Johnson. With the Hokies trailing 85-82, Poteat's late heroics not only turned the tide of the game but also marked the end of Virginia Tech's four-game skid against the Hurricanes dating back to 2022.
The match was characterized by its high pace and competitive spirit, with both teams displaying impressive shooting. Miami, coming off recent losses, was seeking to bounce back. The Hurricanes had previously lost to Boston College after leading by 19 points, making their need for a win more pressing. Miami entered the game with a 4-9 record and was yet to snag their first ACC win of the season.
Virginia Tech, on the other hand, was also struggling, holding a 5-8 record as they looked to avoid starting conference play 0-3. Poteat, who had been trying to improve his performance after missing key shots earlier this year, was determined not to let his team start the season poorly.
Early on, both teams exhibited strong offensive numbers; Miami shot 57% from the field during the first half, slightly edging out Virginia Tech's 55%. Matthew Cleveland led the Hurricanes with 21 points, marking his fourth consecutive game leading the team and providing consistent scoring support. Fellow players Jalil Bethea and Austin Swartz chipped in 15 and 12 points, respectively.
After exchanging leads throughout the match, Miami surged to its largest lead at 49-39 early in the second half. Yet, Virginia Tech responded fiercely. Tobi Lawal and Poteat combined for 42 points, and their relentless efforts inside contributed significantly to the Hokies’ effective offense. Lawal himself put up 22 points, demonstrating remarkable efficiency at the basket by shooting 8 of 10 from the field.
Virginia Tech’s near-comeback was tied to their high shooting percentage throughout the game. They finished shooting 54.2% on the day and capitalized on Miami’s defensive lapses. Their ability to function effectively through pick-and-roll strategies allowed them to maintain offensive pressure.
With both teams exchanging blows down the stretch, Miami had taken the lead with only 3:17 left to play, pushing the score to 82-76. But the Hokies responded with tenacity, erasing the deficit and tying the game at 74 with just over five minutes remaining.
The final moments of the game were thrilling to witness. After falling behind again, Virginia Tech finished the last three minutes on a 10-3 run. Lawal’s layup with just over 40 seconds remaining narrowed the gap, before the fateful layup from Poteat put the Hokies on top for good.
Miami's final possession ended dramatically when Cleveland attempted a half-court shot at the buzzer, which missed. This loss dropped the Hurricanes to 4-10 overall and 0-3 in ACC play under interim head coach Bill Courtney, who took over for Jim Larranaga after he stepped down.
“We needed this win badly,” Poteat said after the game, celebrating with teammates who crowded around him on the court. “We had to dig deep and battle back.” Coach Mike Young echoed his players' sentiments, noting how the win injected confidence back to the team. "We did some good things tonight,” he noted. “We rebounded, battled through adversity, and just showed more heart.”
Looking forward, Virginia Tech is set to travel west for key matchups against Stanford and Cal, aiming to build on this momentum. For Miami, the focus shifts back to their home court as they prepare to host Florida State, hoping to turn things around and seek their first win of the new year.
Despite the heartbreaker for the Hurricanes, the thrilling finish of this contest will be remembered by Hokies' fans as they celebrate the first ACC win of the season, finding hope after what has been a challenging start.