Coral Gables, FL - The Virginia Cavaliers built a 15-point lead in the second quarter, but Miami stormed back to claim a 77-74 victory on Thursday night (Jan. 30) at the Watsco Center. The game marked a career night for Virginia’s Latasha Lattimore, who matched her personal best with 25 points in her return to Miami.

Lattimore, a transfer from Miami, led the Cavaliers with 25 points on 10-for-16 shooting while adding seven rebounds. Freshman Breona Hurd contributed 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Kymora Johnson stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.

How It Happened

Virginia came out strong, dominating the first quarter with a 25-13 lead behind five made three-pointers. Taylor Lauterbach provided a spark, going 2-for-2 from deep to tie her career-high.

The Cavaliers extended their lead to 15 in the second quarter, but Miami responded with a 17-10 scoring advantage in the period. The Hurricanes closed the half on a 12-2 run, trimming Virginia’s lead to just five (35-30) at the break. Lattimore led UVA at halftime with 11 points and four rebounds.

Miami continued to chip away in the third, cutting Virginia’s lead to three late in the period. However, Johnson and Olivia McGhee answered with five straight points to push UVA’s advantage back to eight (57-49). Lattimore and Edessa Noyan each added six points in the quarter.

The Hurricanes seized momentum early in the fourth, opening with a 9-0 run to take their first lead since the opening minutes (7-5). Virginia briefly regained control, building a 70-66 lead, but Miami closed the game on an 8-2 run to secure the win.

Miami’s Standout Performers

Haley Cavinder led the Hurricanes with 22 points on 9-for-15 shooting, including 3-for-6 from three-point range. She also recorded a season-high 10 assists and grabbed five rebounds, marking her seventh double-double of the season.

Cameron Williams delivered a dominant performance with 14 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, earning her fourth double-double of the year. She also contributed four assists.

Natalija Marshall played hero, scoring 10 points while shooting 3-for-5 from the field and 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. Her clutch three-pointer with nine seconds remaining gave Miami the lead for good.

Jasmyne Roberts added 12 points, with nine coming in the fourth quarter, helping Miami secure its second straight win and improve to 13-8 (3-7 ACC).