CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WTVR) – Senior forward Mike Scott had game-high totals of 23 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomore guard Joe Harris scored 19 points to lead the Virginia men’s basketball team to a 65-61 Atlantic Coast Conference victory over Clemson Tuesday night (Jan. 31) at John Paul Jones Arena.
The game was the 100th men’s basketball game played at JPJA where the Cavaliers have a record of 71-29.
The victory improves UVa’s overall record to 18-3 and the Cavaliers are now 5-2 in the ACC. It was the third ACC win in the last six days for the Cavaliers.
Virginia’s 18-3 start is its best since going 27-3 to open the 1982-83 season.
In this week’s national rankings, Virginia is ranked 16th in The Associated Press poll and 18th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll.
The loss drops Clemson’s overall record to 11-10 and the Tigers are now 3-4 in the ACC.
Junior forward/center Devin Booker scored 16 points to lead Clemson and guard Tanner Smith had 14 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Tigers.
Virginia trailed 30-26 at halftime, but rallied early in the second half. With Clemson leading 35-30 with 18:46 left in the game, UVa went on a 21-5 run to take a 51-40 lead with 9:58 to play. Harris made three three-point field goals in the run and Scott added six points.
Clemson cut the Virginia lead to three points (61-58) with 57 seconds to play after a three-point field goal by Booker, but Scott made two free throws with 17 seconds remaining to increase the Cavaliers’ lead to five. After a three-point basket by Smith cut UVa’s lead to 63-61 with 11 seconds left in the game, Scott hit two more free throws with seven seconds to play to give the Cavaliers their final margin of victory.
Scott’s double-double was his sixth of the season and he is now third on Virginia’s career double-doubles list with 30. His 23 points tied his ACC career high and was the third time this season he’s scored 23 points in a conference game.
Harris’ 19 points are a season high and tied his ACC career high. He was 5-6 from three-point range in the game. His five three-point field goals tied his career high and are the most made by a Virginia player in a game this season.
Virginia shot 55.8 percent (24-43) from the field for the game, including 42.9 percent (6-14) from three-point range, and 73.3 percent (11-15) from the free-throw line. The Cavaliers out-rebounded Clemson 34-19.
Clemson shot 40.7 percent (22-54) from the field, including 38.1 percent (8-21) from three-point range, and 81.8 percent (9-11) from the free-throw line.
Virginia returns to action on Saturday (Feb. 4) at Florida State. That game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and will be televised by the ACC Network.
