Virginia Overcomes Four Point Deficit With Five Seconds Left to Beat Louisville 67-66

Top ranked Virginia traveled to Louisville on March 1st to take on the Cardinals in the Cavaliers’ final regular season road game. Louisville led for most of the game; often the leads were big, like 26-13 with 8:39 left in the first half, and 50-38 halfway through the second half. The Cardinals had a 58-49 lead with 3:47 left in the game, and it looked like the Cavaliers would lose for just the third time this season.

But Virginia is ranked #1 for a reason. Sure, they have the best defense in the country in terms of fewest points allowed per game, but you have to be able to score, too. The Cavaliers scored seven unanswered points over the next 1:45 to tie it at 58-58. But Louisville responded, and after a pair of Darius Perry free throws, the Cardinals led 66-62 with six seconds left.

Then with one second left, Perry fouled Virginia’s Ty Jerome, who hit both free throws to make it 66-64. Louisville’s Deng Adel was called for traveling while attempting to inbound the ball, and Virginia had one last chance. The inbound went to De’Andre Hunter who quickly fired a desperation three point attempt that went off the glass and in for a 67-66 win over a stunned Louisville.

Virginia, 16-1 in the ACC and 27-2 overall, will close out the regular season against Notre Dame on March 3rd. The Cavaliers have already won the ACC regular season title, and should be the number one seed in the ACC Tournament whether they beat Notre Dame or not, and are almost assured to be a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Louisville is 19-11 overall and 9-8 in the ACC. They close out the regular season on the 3rd at North Carolina State.