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GREENSBORO, N.C. — Virginia fifth-year senior guard Kihei Clark spotted up from the top of the arc and drilled a 3-pointer to extend the Cavaliers’ sizable early second-half lead. He stepped back, yelled “Boom” and threw up three fingers toward the UVA fan section.
Clark and the 13th-ranked Cavaliers were feeling good by that point in their resounding 76-56 ACC Tournament semifinal win over Clemson on Friday night at Greensboro Coliseum. UVA advanced to Saturday night’s championship game against No. 21 Duke (25-8).
The Cavaliers (25-6) clinched a spot in the championship game for the 10th time in school history and fourth time under coach Tony Bennett, who improved to 15-9 all-time in the tournament. Bennett led UVA to tournament titles in 2014 and ‘18.
UVA connected on 50% of its shots, continuing the hot shooting streak it started late in the regular season. The Cavaliers have been much improved on offense in their current four-game win streak.
Senior forward Jayden Gardner scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season and 41st of his career. The Cavaliers finished with a 38-35 rebounding edge.
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Senior guard Armaan Franklin had 16 points and two steals. Clark had 13 points and four assists.
Forward Kadin Shedrick came off the bench to score eight points and grab seven rebounds. It was his second big outing in as many games, after blocking five shots in Thursday’s quarterfinal win over North Carolina.
He fouled out with three minutes remaining and received an ovation from the UVA fans.
Virginia’s bench was particularly effective, scoring 16 points and accounting for 15 rebounds. Taine Murray (five points) and Ryan Dunn (five rebounds, two blocks) provided valuable contributions off the bench. Chase Coleman, a Maury High graduate, logged time at the end and grabbed a rebound.
The Cavaliers bridged the first and second halves with a 14-0 run that initiated the blowout. UVA scored the last eight points of the first half and the first six of the second, taking a 43-25 lead on consecutive layups from Gardner.
The win set up a rematch with Duke, which won the other semifinal over top-seeded Miami 85-78.
Virginia improved to 14-1 in its last 15 meetings with Clemson, and Bennett improved to 16-3 all-time against the Tigers. The Cavaliers moved to 8-1 against Clemson in the ACC Tournament.