2011 ACC Tournament First Round: Miami's Comeback Sends Virginia Home

Mustapha Farrakhan’s free throw gave the Virginia Cavaliers a 53-43 lead over the Miami Hurricanes with only 42 seconds remaining in the second half. By the time the second half buzzer sounded, Miami had drawn even with the Virginia thanks to a 10-0 run over the final 35 seconds.

In overtime, the Hurricanes outscored the Cavaliers by seven in route to winning their first round ACC Tournament game, 69-62.

It’s not every day that you see a ten point comeback in under a minute; that is, unless you are a Maryland fan, like me, whose dreams are haunted by Duke’s “miracle minute” in 2001.

In order for a team to erase such a large deficit in such a small amount of time, they have to get a little help from the opposing team. Not to take credit away from Miami, I have to say, Virginia may have lost the game more than Miami won it.

Following the Farrakhan free throw that stretched the lead to double-digits, the Cavs combined for three missed free throws, two turnovers off of inbounds, and one foul on Durand Scott as he muscled the ball in to tie the game at 53.

In that time, Miami combined for 3-3 shooting, including two three point shots, a dunk, and the aforementioned and-one by Scott.

Miami did not miss another field goal for the rest of the game, going perfect from the field in overtime.

Malcolm Grant led the 'Canes with 16 points and seven assists. Durand Scott chipped in with 10 points, while Reggie Johnson added eight points and six rebounds.

The loss ends the Cavs’ ACC season after a hot end to the regular season, which saw the team win four of their last five.

Miami has now won five of their last six first-round tournament games in the ACC. Next up for the 'Canes is a quarterfinal match-up with the No. 1 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels at noon on Friday.