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McClinton, Miami hand Virginia crucial loss

Feb 22, 2007 - 6:51 AM CORAL GABLES, Florida (Ticker) -- Jack McClinton and Miami dealt Virginia's Atlantic Coast Conference title hopes a big blow.

McClinton made some clutch 3-pointers in the second half and the Hurricanes rallied for a 68-60 victory over the Cavaliers.

Miami (11-16, 4-9 ACC) had lost eight of its last nine games to fall into last place in the ACC. The Hurricanes were down, 35-26, at the half but battled back to split the season series with the Cavaliers.

McClinton broke a 58-58 tie with a 3-pointer with 1:05 to play. After J.R. Reynolds made it 61-60 with a pair of free throws, McClinton delivered the dagger, draining a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left to extend the Miami lead to 64-60.

McClinton finished with 14 points for the Hurricanes. Anthony Harris, Dwayne Collins and Brian Asbury each added 11 and Collins also had 14 rebounds.

Virginia had won nine of its last 10 to move into the top 20 and into a tie atop the ACC with North Carolina. The Tar Heels defeated North Carolina State on Wednesday to move into sole possession of first place in the ACC.

Sean Singletary scored 17 for Virginia, which led, 35-26, at the half.

The Cavaliers shot 50 percent (12-of-24) from the field in the opening 20 minutes but were ice cold after the break. Virginia made only 6-of-22 (27 percent) shots and was outscored, 42-25, in the second half.

Reynolds had 13 points and Jamil Tucker 11 for the Cavaliers.