Haley Cavinder stats tonight: How did Miami star fare vs Virginia Tech? (Jan. 5)

Senior guard Haley Cavinder delivered a strong performance for Miami, but the Hurricanes fell short in a 68-64 loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies, marking their third consecutive defeat.

Cavinder showcased her versatility, scoring 12 points while adding six rebounds, a game-high six assists, one steal and one block. She led the Hurricanes in playing time with 34 minutes, shooting 5-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Cavinder had a strong start, contributing two layups, four rebounds and two assists in the first quarter, though she also missed three field goals and recorded a foul and a turnover. In the second quarter, she added five points along with a steal, an assist and a rebound.

She hit a 3-pointer, dished out two assists and grabbed another rebound in the third quarter. However, in the final quarter, her impact was limited, with just three field goal attempts and a foul.

Entering the game, Cavinder was averaging 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per contest. However, the Hokies effectively contained her scoring, holding her to her second-lowest point total of the season.

Despite Miami’s recent struggles, Cavinder continues to shine in her final college season. She was named ACC Player of the Week on December 23 after averaging 22.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 56.7% from the field.

That week, she led Miami to victories over Nevada and Oregon State in the 2024 Maui Classic, earning tournament MVP honors for her outstanding performance.

Miami suffers third straight loss

The Hurricanes (11-4, 1-3) controlled the game for 32 minutes and 56 seconds but squandered a 12-point fourth-quarter lead as the Hokies closed on a 21-5 run to secure the victory.

Miami showcased a balanced offense, with six players scoring at least five points and three finishing in double figures. The Hurricanes shot 44.6% from the field and 81.8% from the free-throw line while holding Virginia Tech to 38.2% shooting overall. However, the Hokies excelled from beyond the arc, shooting 37.9%.

Virginia Tech's defense was the defining factor. When their shots struggled to fall in the first half, their defensive intensity kept them in the game. The Hokies limited Miami to just 5-of-17 shooting from three-point range and held the Hurricanes to 64 points, six below their 70.7-point average over the previous 10 games (7-3 record).

With the win, Virginia Tech improves to 10-4 (1-2), while Miami falls to 11-4 (1-3). The Hurricanes will look to rebound on Sunday, Jan. 12, when they travel to face Syracuse at 6 p.m.