By Jahmal Corner
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – When Nick Boninos game-winning shot found the back of the net on Wednesday the Anaheim Ducks finally found the overtime result that had eluded them during a playoff series full of late-game heartbreak.
Despite controlling long stretches of their series with the Detroit Red Wings, two gut-wrenching overtime losses had kept the second-seeded Ducks from booking a quick trip to the Western Conference semi-finals.
So when a streaking Bonino converted a pass from Ben Lovejoy less than two minutes into overtime, it gave the host Ducks a 3-2 triumph, a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series as well as a breakthrough in pressure-packed moments.
With an enhanced confidence, Anaheim can now close out the series with a win in Detroit on Friday.
We definitely wanted to prove we can play well (in overtimes), Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller told Reuters after making 29 saves in the win.
We were talking about it (in the locker room after regulation). We want to keep pushing and put pressure on them. It was great we could finish it off.
The Ducks, who cruised to the Pacific division title in the regular season, had failed to complete the job in previous make-or-break situations during the 2013 postseason.
Anaheim skated with ease in Game One and Game Three wins, but it was the overtime shortcomings in Game Two and Game Four that felt attached to their sticks, and could potentially mean doom.
Those struggles were not lost on the team when faced with a familiar challenge in Game Five.
You look back at the series, it was definitely relevant that they had scored two OT goals, said Kyle Palmieri who scored in the opening period Wednesday.
They are really relentless in their pursuit. We wanted to neutralize their chances early.
If Anaheim needed a source of calm in the face of repeated adversity they only had to turn to their ice-in-veins captain, Ryan Getzlaf.
The Ducks big center was once again a steadying presence. With his team trailing 2-1 in the second period, Getzlaf stole the puck and drew a penalty, then converted a power-play goal to tie the game.
The sequence gave him a team-leading three playoff goals and five points, numbers that are particularly crucial with line mate Corey Perry struggling to get going as he remains goal-less for the playoffs.
Getzlaf and Perry share a deep connection as both have spent their entire careers together with the Ducks and each signed lucrative eight-year contract extensions this season.
Getzlafs lengthy experience with the franchise, which includes the 2007 Stanley Cup, is proving vital for the rest of the roster in the face of playoff pressure.
Ive tried to have a level of calmness throughout, Getzlaf said. This might be the first year Ive been able to keep my head (calm in the playoffs). A lot of times emotions get the best.
Ive been through a lot, and got to win at a young age and that really helps.
Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau agreed with his captain.
When youve been the guy on a team thats won it before, thats important, Boudreau said. I thought he brought it. Guys followed him. Thats what captains do.
The Ducks will be hoping their newfound good vibes travel to Detroit on Friday when they will be greeted by a passionate Red Wings fan base backed by a history of success.
Anaheim, on the other hand, will lean on their most recent history of just two nights earlier.
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
Tags: Game
Amare Stoudemire backed 7-foot Earl Barron down onto the low blocks Thursday and had him right where he wanted him. He turned around, blew past the defender with one dribble and easily banked in a reverse layup.
Its been more than two months since the Knicks’ star power forward has plied his inside moves on an opponent, but it looks as if he will be at it again on Saturday night when they face the Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in Indianapolis.
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Stoudemire practiced and did a walk-through with the team Thursday in Greenburgh and then participated in some full-court 4-on-4 before running sprints. His conditioning has improved since he looked easily winded Monday in his first full-contact workout since right knee debridement surgery. The final assessment regarding whether he will play will come at practice Friday.
Stoudemire has been out of action since March 7, yet insists he will return and “can play at a high level.
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“Anytime you get on the court, you have a chance to make on impact on the game,” Stoudemire said. “So if I am able to play Game 3, whatever time Coach (Mike) Woodson puts me in, I am going to contribute.”
Woodson said the 6-11 Stoudemire can help the Knicks on the front line against the taller Pacers and that the plan is for him to play “somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes.”
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Tags: Game
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rafael Soriano has been so successful closing games for Washington that his teammates want to follow his lead, right down to the untucked jersey.
Soriano converted his 12th save in 13 chances to end the Nationals 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday to complete a two-game sweep of the AL champions.
Once Soriano retired Prince Fielder on a game-ending flyout to the center field warning track with a man on, Soriano was joined in his signature celebration – untucking his jersey – by several teammates.
I never thought I would be a guy to do it, first baseman Adam LaRoche said. But when youve got a teammate out there doing it, I think its cool for the guys to join in. If thats his thing, great. Hes not showing anybody up. Its just his style.
What does it represent to the team?
No clue, LaRoche said.
Perhaps the gestures an ode to a bullpen that helped the Nationals claim their first four-game winning streak of the year.
Ryan Mattheus, Drew Storen and Soriano combined for shutout relief after Dan Haren nearly squandered a four-run lead. Washingtons three relievers had identical lines, each giving up a hit and striking out a batter in an inning.
LaRoche singled in the first and second innings for his first consecutive multihit games this season, and Ryan Zimmerman, in a 2-for-14 slide coming in, had three hits.
Tigers pitcher Doug Fister (4-1) had an RBI single in the second off Haren (4-3), but the Nationals made it 5-1 in the bottom half on consecutive run-scoring singles by Zimmerman and LaRoche.
LaRoche has eight hits in his last 14 at-bats, raising his average from .129 through May 1 to .196.
I like where hes at, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said before the game. I think hes seeing the ball better. His timings coming around.
Haren allowed four runs and nine hits in six innings, giving up a three-run homer in the sixth to Matt Tuiasosopo. That was the Tigers first home run by a pinch hitter since Ryan Rayburn at the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 14, 2011.
Haren said he wasnt at his best Thursday, which was especially disconcerting facing the Tigers powerful lineup.
That lineup is ridiculous, Haren said.
Fister gave up five runs, eight hits and four walks in three innings, his first loss since Game 2 of the World Series at San Francisco last October. He was removed for a pinch hitter in the fourth. It was his shortest career start other than an outing at Cleveland in August 2011 when he was taken out after two innings because of a lengthy rain delay.
He wasnt sharp, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. You could see that. He wasnt brutal by any means, but he just wasnt sharp. His curveball wasnt good like it normally is. Just one of those things.
Fister drove in a run with his first hit since June 26, 2011, for Seattle. It was the first RBI by a Tigers pitcher since Rick Porcello had two on June 12, 2009.
Detroit had entered with nine wins in 10 games only to get swept for the first time since losing three games at the Los Angeles Angels from April 19-21. Omar Infante had three hits for the Tigers.
NOTES: The game was a makeup of Tuesday nights rainout. Rain fell during the second and third innings Thursday but play was not halted. … Nationals OF Jayson Werth (strained right hamstring) took batting practice but missed his fifth straight game. Johnson said Werths MRI was pretty negative, indicating no serious problems. Johnson said he expects Werth will miss only one more game. … Leyland has managed at every current big league ballpark other than Marlins Park, which opened in 2012. … Ross Detwiler (1-3, 2.50) will face Cubs RHP Jeff Samardzija (1-4, 3.09) on Friday night in Washington. … Max Scherzer (4-0, 3.43) starts at home Friday, opposed by RHP Clevelands Corey Kluber (2-1, 3.06).
Tags: Game
HOUSTON (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels protested Thursday nights game against Houston and then beat the Astros anyway.
Mark Trumbo hit a two-run double in the eighth inning before Alberto Callaspos go-ahead sacrifice fly sent the Angels to a 6-5 victory in a game that lasted more than four hours.
It was huge, Trumbo said. It was a draining game. It was over four hours. We battled our hearts out and (we) like the way it went, especially going into a new series. This is what were going to have to do. Theyre not going to be easy and if this is indicative of what were going to do, weve got to do it.
NIGHTMARE: LA gets rude awakening on World Series dream
The struggling Angels snapped a four-game skid and avoided an embarrassing sweep against last-place Houston, which has a payroll thats more than $100 million lower than Los Angeles ledger.
The game took 4 hours, 7 minutes — making it the longest nine-inning contest in the majors this season, according to STATS. It also was the longest nine-inning game in Minute Maid Park history.
Josh Hamilton and Brendan Harris homered for the Angels, who have won just three of their last 12 road games.
The Angels felt lucky to escape with a win after leaving 16 on base and going 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position.
There arent many games youre going to win when you leave 16 guys on base, manager Mike Scioscia said. Its a great character game for our guys. I feel good for them. The clubhouse feels good. We held on. We kept pressuring them and got some key hits as the game went on.
The dispute came with two outs in the seventh inning when Astros reliever Wesley Wright ran onto the mound and threw several warmup pitches before rookie manager Bo Porter raced onto the field between the mound and home plate to stop him from throwing more.
Hector Ambriz soon jogged out of the bullpen and onto the mound, and Wright headed to the dugout.
Scioscia ran onto the field and argued that Ambriz shouldnt be able to enter the game because Wright didnt face a batter. Scioscia remained on the field for several minutes while the umpires huddled and discussed the situation.
My contention was that the pitcher came in, had to face one batter, Scioscia said. I protested, and were happy we won (the game).
Crew chief Fieldin Culbreth wouldnt say much about the situation.
Well, the only thing I can tell you is that all matters concerning protests are handled through the league office, he said.
Pinch-hitter Luis Jimenez was in the on-deck circle when Wright went to the mound, but was replaced by Scott Cousins when Ambriz came on.
The umps eventually allowed Ambriz (0-2) to remain in the game. He retired Cousins to end the inning.
Technically, Wesley came in to face the batter that was scheduled to hit, but he pinch-hit for the batter that was scheduled to hit, which my understanding of the rule means you can now bring in another pitcher to face the pinch-hitter, Porter said.
Scioscia lodged an official protest that he said became moot when the Angels rallied to win.
Trumbo tied it at 5 with a bases-loaded double down the right-field line with nobody out in the eighth, chasing Ambriz. He was replaced by Travis Blackley, who intentionally walked Howie Kendrick with one out before Callaspos sacrifice fly.
Garrett Richards (2-3) pitched a scoreless seventh for the win and Ernesto Frieri got five outs for his fifth save.
Houston had runners at second and third with one out in the eighth, but the Astros came up empty after Matt Dominguez struck out and pinch-hitter Carlos Pena grounded out.
Dominguez put Houston on top 5-3 in the sixth with a two-out, two-run single that chased starter Jason Vargas.
The left-hander, who was coming off consecutive complete games, yielded 10 hits and five runs in 5 2-3 innings.
Jose Altuve added three hits for Houston to raise his average to .345, and Chris Carter and Brandon Barnes each drove in a run for the Astros. Dominguez made three errors at third base after entering the game with one all season.
Houston starter Lucas Harrell yielded four hits and two runs, but walked six in five innings.
Paul Clemens replaced Harrell to start the sixth and Harris connected on his third pitch for a homer to center that tied it 3-all.
Hamilton, who broke a 20-game home run drought with a solo shot Wednesday, opened the second inning with a drive to the bullpen in center field to make it 1-0.
Dominguez tied it with an RBI single in the bottom half.
NOTES: Scheduled starter Tommy Hanson wont go for the Angels on Friday at the Chicago White Sox as he continues to deal with a recent death in his family. Scioscia said the team would announce a replacement Friday. … Los Angeles reliever Scott Downs left in the eighth with a right foot injury and Scioscia said after the game that it was very sore. … Angels shortstop Erick Aybar left in the fourth because of tightness in his right hamstring. He was replaced by Harris. Aybar went 0 for 3, ending an 11-game hitting streak. … Chris Iannetta walked a career-high four times. … Los Angeles reliever Ryan Madson, who missed last season after Tommy John surgery, threw 21 pitches in a camp game at extended spring training. Scioscia said Madson will probably pitch in two games there before moving to the Class-A California League to continue his work. His stuff looked good, so its a first step, Scioscia said. Madson is scheduled to throw again on Saturday.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Tags: Game
An Ender’s Game film has been long-coming, but Orson Scott Card’s book is better suited for a video gameadaptation.
Orson Scott Card’s landmark science fiction novel Ender’s Gamewill finally see a theatrical release, and the first trailer for the new movie has hit the internet. You can watch the trailer–featuring Ben Kingsley and Harrison Ford–below.
The book came out in 1985, and tells the story of a boy–Ender–who, like Harry Potter, is at once the best at what he does and much-loathed because of it. The premise hinges on the incoming invasion of an alien species known as the “Buggers” and Earth’s attempt to train especially promising children to ward off this invasion. Ender Wiggin and his classmates are trained in the art of video games to stave off this attack.
So it’s only natural that a major film version of Ender’s Gamewould be accompanied by a video game counterpart. The only problem is that video game versions of popular films (and television shows) are almost universally bad. But perhaps since the book focuses on Ender’s mastery of a game, the inevitable video game version of the upcoming film will be halfway decent.
Here’s the trailer:
In 2008, developer Chair announced plans to bring Card’s novel to the video game space, but the project was later put on hold indefinitely by parent company Epic Games.
“We have and had an amazing design for theEnder’s Gamegame,” said Chair’s co-founder, Donald Mustard, at the time, but “one ofEpic’s primary objectives is to create original and unique franchises. I don’t know thatEnder’s Gamefits into that strategic objective anymore.”
Hopefully a new and improved vision will emerge, and gamers will eventually get the game they deserve.
The film is being directed by Gavin Hood, whose recent work includes the TV series Stargate SG-1, with original music composed by James Horner. Orson Scott Card is a producer on the film. Card has been a controversial figure in recent years, though that may or may not factor into the film’s success.
Ender’s Gamehits theaters on November 1st, 2013. No word on a video gameadaptationat this point.
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Tags: Game
Lawson and Danilo Gallinari each scored 26 points, and the Denver Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Boston Celtics 97-90 Tuesday night.
Lawson has averaged 27.5 points in his last four games, well above his season average of 15.8 going into the game against the Celtics.
Im just attacking, not thinking about whether I should shoot it, not second-guessing my shot, Lawson said. Im just trusting myself and its been working out for me.
And its also working for the Nuggets, who gained a split of their season series with Boston after losing in triple overtime to the Celtics the week before. The loss to Boston had ended the Nuggets season-high nine game winning streak and marked the start of a three-game skid leading up to the All-Star break.
Tonight, we just didnt close out any quarter very well, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. End of the first, end of the half, the end of the third killed us. They went on their little run to end the game.
Everybody came into this game wanting to win it and that may have gotten in our way. Each guy wanted to win it instead of trusting the team. We had a great first half, it got away from us in the third and fourth.
Lawson noted that Gallinari (sinus infection) and Andre Iguodala (neck strain), who contributed defensively despite not scoring, returned after missing the previous two games to help make the difference in the rematch with the Celtics.
Everybody was back, Lawson said. And it shows how much weve matured as a team, to come back from the All-Star break and beat a team like that.
Tags: Game
bull; Key play: After Gators center Patric Young picked up his second foul with 4 minutes left, Missouri pulled within 29-26 at the break, thanks to a putback by Laurence Bowers, a Jabari Brown free throw and a steal and fast-break layup by Keion Bell.
bull; Key stat: Florida#x2019;s scoreless drought at the end of the half hurt the Gators#x2019; first-half shooting percentage, as they finished 11 of 29 (37.9 percent) from the field while Missouri shot 11 of 26 (42.3 percent).
Second half
bull; Key play: Florida guard Kenny Boynton missed a long jumper that would have given the Gators the lead late, and Bell made two free throws that gave the Tigers a crucial 63-60 cushion with only 3 seconds remaining.
bull; Key stat: Florida had more turnovers (14) than assists (10), which speaks to Missouri#x2019;s defensive effort.
Bowers looks good
Missouri senior forward Laurence Bowers had his best game since he returned from a midseason knee injury, scoring 17 points to go along with 10 rebounds. The outing came after he struggled mightily in Missouri#x2019;s 73-71 loss to Arkansas on Saturday, and Missouri coach Frank Haith encouraged him to be tougher and focus on other aspects of his game.
#x201C;Laurence was validating how well he was playing based on how many points he was scoring,#x201D; Haith said. #x201C;He needs to not do that…he can defend and rebound and focus on those things because you can do those things every night.#x201D;
bull;Haith said a key to Missouri holding the Gators to 22-of-54 shooting (40.7 percent) was the way they defended Florida#x2019;s ball screen action. Haith said the Tigers often mixed it up to keep the Gators#x2019; dangerous guards off balance.
Tags: Game
ST. LOUIS — San Jose coach Todd McLellan could finally breathe a sigh of relief on Tuesday night.
Tim Kennedy scored with just under seven minutes left to lift the San Jose Sharks to a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues that snapped a lengthy seven-game winless streak.
The Sharks recorded their first win in February, ending a difficult stretch.
Its over, McLellan said. Now, we cant let our game slip.
Joe Thornton also scored for San Jose, which began the season by winning its first seven games, a franchise record.
Patrik Berglund scored for the fourth game in a row for St. Louis, which had a three-game winning streak snapped. The Blues have lost their last five home games, their longest skid since dropping five in a row Dec. 18, 2009-Jan 2, 2010.
The Sharks winless skid was their longest since a 10-game skid Nov. 5-30, 2005.
Goalie Antti Niemi made 24 saves to improve to 7-2-3.
Kennedy blasted a wobbly shot from the left faceoff circle for the game-winner. It was his second goal in just three games this season.
I dont know how that quite went in there – but its a goal, Kennedy said. The puck came off the wall. You cant score if you dont shoot.
St. Louis goalie Jake Allen suffered the first loss of his career after winning three games on the Blues recent 3-0 road swing through Detroit, Calgary and Vancouver.
Allen admitted that he was surprised by the flight of the shot.
It was kind of a knuckler, it sort of wobbled on me, Allen said. I dont know how it squeaked through.
The goal gave the Sharks their first win since a 3-2 triumph over Edmonton on Jan. 31. San Jose lost four heart breakers during the streak and Thornton felt it was time his club caught a break.
Finally got a fluke goal that went our way, he said. It was sure nice to get out of a streak like that.
Niemi agreed, Its been a long time, but we battled hard. It was a gritty game.
Berglund put his team on top by converting from in front of the net off a pass from Vladimir Sobotka at 12:54 of the first period. Berglund leads St. Louis with nine goals.
Thornton tied the game early in the second period. He pounced on a rebound for his fourth goal and 16th point of the season.
The Blues arrived in St. Louis at 6:30 am Tuesday after a 14-hour travel delay in Vancouver. San Jose last played on Friday.
Still, Blues coach Ken Hitchcock would not use fatigue as an excuse.
This is exactly what weve been doing the last four or five games at home, he said. Too many people not pulling their weight. Too many passengers.
NOTES: The Sharks went the final 10:20 of the first period without a shot on goal. … San Jose was playing the fourth game of a six-game road trip. The Sharks return home to face Colorado on Feb. 26. … St. Louis has a league-leading 10 players with 10 or more points. … This is the first of three meetings between the teams. … The Blues beat San Jose in five games in the opening round of the 2012 Western Conference playoffs, outscoring the Sharks 14-8. … St. Louis D Barret Jackman appeared in his 614th game with the team tying Bob Plager for seventh on the all-time list among defensemen. … McLellan has 203 wins three shy of franchise leader Ron Wilson (206).
Tags: Game
BUFFALO, NY So long as goalie Ondrej Pavelec stays on top of his game, Winnipeg Jets coach Claude Noel doesnt have to worry much about his teams struggling offense.
Pavelec did his part on Tuesday night, making 29 saves to help the Jets snap a three-game skid with a 2-1 win over the unraveling Buffalo Sabres.
I thought Pavelec was fabulous, especially with that kind of pressure, Noel said. Pavelecs been really good, and in this game he was outstanding.
And that made it easier for Noel to assess his offense extending its string to seven games since scoring three goals in regulation.
To me it isnt about scoring goals. Were going to get our goals, Noel said. For me, this is really good for morale. It really gives us something to build off of.
Pavelec was particularly sharp in stopping the final 11 shots he faced after Jason Pominville scored to cut the Jets lead to 2-1 in the final minute of the second period.
Andrew Ladds goal that made it 2-0 early in the second stood up as the winner, and Bryan Little also scored for Winnipeg. The Jets won for the third time in 10 games while opening a season-high five-game road swing.
After three straight losses, we wanted to get a good feeling back in the room, Ladd said.
Demoralization and frustration continues to creep into the Sabres locker room, which remained closed until 15 minutes after the players were booed off the ice.
Its obviously disappointing and frustrating, Pominville said. Weve got to be better.
The boos began at end of the first period and grew louder in the second when Buffalo experienced difficulty getting out of its zone. The Sabres then earned a Bronx cheer when they finally crossed the Jets blue line.
We deserve to get booed, goalie Ryan Miller said. They just want you to work hard. They just want you to give them something to cheer about, and we let them down.
Buffalo dropped to 4-10-1 since getting off to a 2-0 start to the season and has dropped consecutive home games for the first time since last February.
The Sabres continue to commit familiar mistakes.
They gave up another early goal, with Little scoring a minute in on the Jets first shot on goal. That was reminiscent of how Boston built a 2-0 lead 87 seconds into a 4-3 win over Buffalo on Sunday.
And the Sabres continue to hurt themselves with sloppy giveaways and lethargic play inside their own zone.
Little was left standing alone in front, where he was set up by Evander Kane, who outmuscled two Sabres defenders to dig out the puck at the end boards.
Nathan Gerbes giveaway inside his own zone led to Ladds goal 6 minutes into the second period.
Something needs to get shaken up with our attitude more than anything, Miller said. Its definitely mental on our part.
Miller was otherwise sharp in finishing with 26 saves, and bailing out his teammates on several defensive miscues. Miller foiled Jim Slater trying to beat him through the legs on a breakaway with 2 minutes left in the opening period. He also made a diving poke check to stop Kane on a partial short-handed breakaway with 20 seconds left in the first period.
Pavelec, appearing in his 200th career NHL game, was equally sharp for the Jets.
His best save came with just more than 5 minutes left when he kicked out his left pad just in time to stop TJ Brennans hard shot from the left circle. Then there was his left pad save in stopping Tyler Ennis from in close with 1:14 remaining.
Pavelec also made a sharp glove save to stop Drew Stafford set up alone in the lower left circle with 1:44 left in the first period.
Every save is important, Pavelec said. It was nice to see we had the lead in the third, and it was nice to see we closed the game and get the two points.
NOTES: Sabres D Jordan Leopold became the latest to land in coach Lindy Ruffs doghouse, becoming a healthy scratch for the first time this season. … Jets penalty killers went 3 for 3 after entering the game having allowed an NHL-worst 15 goals on 44 power-play chances. The Jets are 4-0-1 when they dont give up a power-play goal. … Pominvilles goal snapped a six-game point drought that matched the longest of his career, according to STATS. … The Jets have not lost four in a row in regulation since a four-game skid from Jan. 21-31, 2009, when they were the Atlanta Thrashers.
Tags: Game
Shane Larkin and Miami celebrate a 54-50 victory over Virginia (Getty Images)
On the same day as the NCAA delivered Miamis notice of allegations stemming from the Nevin Shapiro scandal, point guard Shane Larkin made sure the mood of Hurricane fans wouldnt be all doom and gloom.
Larkin showed great poise under pressure finding Reggie Johnson under the basket for the game-winning layup with 5.7 seconds remaining, propelling second-ranked Miami to a hard-fought 54-50 home win over Virginia.
Having surrendered the last of a seven-point second-half lead on Evan Noltes game-tying 3-pointer with 15 seconds left, Miami turned to Larkin to create a final-possession scoring opportunity off a high ball screen. Virginia strung out the ball screen effectively, but in their zeal to close out on shooter Kenny Kadji at the top of the key Akil Mitchell and Paul Jesperson left Johnson alone in the paint, enabling Larkin to whip a pass into him for a layup.
We left the rim unprotected, Virginia coach Tony Bennett told reporters after the game. For playing such a sound game defensively, it does sting to give them one at the rim. You want them to at least earn it. Make them hit a contested shot, and obviously that was an uncontested shot.
Any chance Virginia had at a rebuttal then disappeared on the ensuing inbound pass when a careless play by Jesperson came back to haunt the Cavs. Durand Scott stepped in front of Jespersons pass, drew a foul and clinched the game with a pair of free throws to extend the lead to four.
Miamis victory preserves its unbeaten ACC record and keeps the Hurricanes on pace for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The last two wins have been a little close for comfort, however, as Clemson and Virginia have both kept Miamis vaunted offense in check and pushed the Hurricanes to the final possession.
While both the Tigers and Cavaliers are two of the ACCs best defensive teams, their ability to disrupt Miamis ball screen-heavy offense has been a bit alarming. On the other hand, its beneficial for the Hurricanes to prove they can grind out slow-paced, low-scoring wins in league play because theyll surely have to do that in the NCAA tournament as well.
Larkin led the Hurricanes with 11 points and six assists on Tuesday night in a game when Miami shot just 1 of 7 from behind the arc and didnt generate many second-chance opportunities. The Hurricanes made up for it with sound defense, holding typically 3-point happy Virginia to 5 of 15 from behind the arc and 38.5 percent shooting for the game.
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