Virginia Tech lose to Miami Hurricanes in a Thursday night thriller

BLACKSBURG, Va. — On a Thursday night that had all the makings of a signature ACC showdown, the Virginia Tech Hokies and Miami Hurricanes delivered a thrilling, emotionally charged contest inside Cassell Coliseum. What began as a showcase of Virginia Tech’s sharp shooting and defensive discipline ended with Miami’s resilience and physicality shining through, as the Hurricanes pulled away in overtime for a 75–67 victory.

Both teams entered the matchup evenly matched at 1–1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play and sporting identical 10–4 overall records. With conference standings already tightening early in the season, the game carried added importance for two programs with postseason aspirations. By the final buzzer, Miami walked away with a valuable road win, while Virginia Tech was left searching for answers after letting a double-digit fourth-quarter lead slip away.

Virginia Tech wasted no time setting the tone offensively. The Hokies played with confidence and precision, moving the ball fluidly and consistently finding high-quality looks. Their shot selection was nearly flawless in the opening half, as crisp passes and smart spacing led to open perimeter shots and efficient finishes around the rim.

The Hokies connected on four consecutive three-pointers early, igniting the Cassell crowd and forcing Miami to scramble defensively. Virginia Tech shot an outstanding 62.5 percent from three-point range by halftime, showcasing its best perimeter performance of the season. Whether it was off the dribble or catch-and-shoot opportunities, the Hokies appeared completely in rhythm.

Carleigh Wenzel provided a major spark, opening the game with back-to-back three-pointers that immediately shifted momentum. Wenzel was especially lethal in the second quarter, knocking down three of her four attempts from beyond the arc in that period alone. Her confidence stretched Miami’s defense and helped Virginia Tech maintain control through the first half.

Carys Baker continued to demonstrate why she has been one of the Hokies’ most reliable all-around players this season. Baker attacked the paint with confidence, hit timely perimeter shots, and anchored Virginia Tech’s defensive effort. Her ability to guard multiple positions created matchup problems for Miami, and her defensive presence forced tough, contested shots throughout the night.

Virginia Tech’s dominance extended into the third quarter, where the Hokies continued to knock down shots from deep. Near the end of the period, Virginia Tech was shooting 7-of-12 from three-point range and finished the game with a season-high nine made three-pointers on 9-of-20 shooting. The balanced scoring and unselfish play allowed the Hokies to build a double-digit lead and seemingly put themselves in position to close out the game.

On the defensive end, Virginia Tech executed its game plan nearly to perfection for three quarters. The Hokies applied strong perimeter pressure, closing out on shooters and limiting driving lanes. Miami, a team known for its offensive versatility, struggled mightily from long range. The Hurricanes did not make a single three-pointer through the first three quarters and finished just 2-of-15 from beyond the arc.

Despite the shooting struggles, Miami stayed within striking distance by attacking inside and crashing the glass. Ra Shaya Kyle led the charge in the paint, using her size and strength to create scoring opportunities and second-chance points. Kyle finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds, consistently giving Miami a presence near the basket when outside shots failed to fall.

The game took a dramatic turn in the fourth quarter. Down by double digits, Miami began to find its footing, increasing defensive pressure and pushing the tempo. The Hurricanes attacked the paint relentlessly, drawing fouls and capitalizing on Virginia Tech miscues. Slowly but steadily, the lead shrank.

As Miami’s confidence grew, Virginia Tech’s offensive rhythm faltered. Open looks became harder to find, turnovers crept in, and the Hokies struggled to respond to Miami’s physical play. With under two minutes remaining, the Hurricanes erased the deficit entirely, tying the game and silencing the Cassell crowd.

Virginia Tech managed a crucial defensive stand late in regulation, forcing a stop that sent the game into overtime. While the Hokies survived the final moments of the fourth quarter, the momentum clearly favored Miami heading into the extra period.

Overtime belonged to the Hurricanes.

Miami immediately seized control, dominating the boards and scoring consistently in the paint. The Hurricanes went on a decisive 12–5 run, capitalizing on offensive rebounds and defensive breakdowns. Virginia Tech, which had relied heavily on perimeter shooting earlier, struggled to generate clean looks as fatigue set in.

Gal Raviv played a pivotal role for Miami, logging heavy minutes and finishing with 18 points despite shooting inconsistently from three-point range. Amarachi Kimpson added timely buckets, while Miami’s collective defensive effort shut down Virginia Tech’s late-game shooting.

Wenzel led Virginia Tech with 16 points, while Kilah Freelon and Mel Daley provided interior scoring and rebounding support. Baker finished with eight points and continued her strong defensive play, but the Hokies were unable to regain the offensive efficiency that defined the first three quarters.

The loss marked Virginia Tech’s second defeat at Cassell Coliseum this season — a rare occurrence for a program that traditionally thrives at home. Despite the disappointment, the Hokies demonstrated their ability to compete with one of the ACC’s top teams and showed flashes of the offensive potential that could make them dangerous as conference play continues.

For Miami, the win served as a statement of toughness and resilience. Winning on the road in the ACC is never easy, and the Hurricanes proved they can grind out victories even on nights when perimeter shots are not falling.

As both teams move forward in conference play, this overtime thriller will stand as an early-season reminder of how slim the margins can be in the ACC — and how momentum, composure, and physicality can ultimately decide the outcome of every game.