No. 11 Miami Rallies Past Cold Virginia Tech, 65-49
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CORAL GABLES (AP) — No. 11 Miami overcame a seven-point first-half deficit and held Virginia Tech to a season-low 29.6 percent shooting in the Hurricanes' 65-49 victory Wednesday night.
A 14-2 surge to start the second half put the Hurricanes ahead 35-24. Virginia Tech went without a field goal for the first seven minutes of the half and finished 16 for 54.
Angel Rodriguez scored 14 points for the Hurricanes (21-4, 10-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who will take a five-game winning streak into its toughest stretch of the season. Miami plays four consecutive games against ranked teams beginning Saturday at No. 5 North Carolina.
Virginia Tech (13-13, 5-8) lost to Miami for the fifth time in a row. For the second game in a row, the Hokies had their worst shooting game of the season.
Their point total tied a season low. They were outscored 44-27 in the second half.
Sheldon McClellan, Miami's leading scorer this season, played only 24 minutes because of foul trouble. His first field goal came more than three minutes into the second half, and he finished with 11 points.
Tech's leading scorers this season, Zach LeDay and Seth Allen, also had foul problems. LeDay scored six points and Allen five, and they shot a combined 3 for 15.
Reserve Justin Robinson scored 12 points for the Hokies.
Hurricanes reserve guard Ja'Quan Newton missed the game because of an unspecified medical condition. He was under the care of team doctors, a school official said.
Miami shot 30 percent in the first half but trailed only 22-21 because Tech shot 29 percent. The Hurricanes scored on the first shot of the second half to take the lead for good.
The sedate atmosphere may have contributed to their lackluster early play. Although Miami's home games are sold out for the season, the 8,000-seat arena was only half-full.
TIP-INS
Miami improved to 7-0 at home in the ACC.
Tech's bench outscored Miami's 25-11.
UP NEXT
Miami: at North Carolina on Saturday.
Virginia Tech: at home Saturday against Florida State.
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