Fort Myers, Florida – – Reece Beekman’s clutch free throw with 2.3 seconds left propelled No. 24 Virginia to a hard-fought 56-54 win over West Virginia in the consolation game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Wednesday night.
Beekman, who finished the game with 12 points, five assists, and four steals, made the tiebreaking free throw to seal the victory for the Cavaliers (5-1). Teammate Ryan Dunn, contributing a team-high 13 points, secured the rebound from Beekman’s missed second free throw and split two free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining. West Virginia was unable to attempt a last-second shot, cementing Virginia’s triumph.
The victory was a rebound for Virginia after a 65-41 defeat to Wisconsin on Monday. Jesse Edwards and Quinn Slazinski each scored 17 points for the Mountaineers (2-3), who went 0-2 in the tournament, losing 70-58 to SMU on Monday.
Virginia shot 40.4 percent from the field, with a 4-of-18 performance from beyond the arc. West Virginia made 37.3 percent of their shots, connecting on 7 of 21 three-point attempts. Despite West Virginia’s 41-28 rebounding edge, they struggled with turnovers, committing 16 in the game.
The game saw back-and-forth action in the final minutes. Dunn’s three-point play gave Virginia a 48-47 lead with 3:35 remaining, but Seth Wilson’s three-pointer put the Mountaineers ahead 51-50 with 1:55 to play. Beekman’s drive and Dunn’s basket regained the lead for Virginia, but Quinn Slazinski’s three free throws tied the score at 54 with 36.8 seconds left.
Andrew Rohde’s back-to-back baskets capped a 10-1 run, giving Virginia a 36-26 lead with 13:18 left in the contest. West Virginia responded with a 16-4 burst, taking a 42-40 lead with 8:41 remaining. The teams traded baskets, but Beekman’s late free throw ultimately secured the win for Virginia.
Virginia led 26-23 at halftime, with Isaac McKneely contributing eight first-half points, while Slazinski (11 points) and Edwards (10) led West Virginia’s scoring effort. The victory positions Virginia for continued success in the season, building on their resilience in the Fort Myers Tip-Off.
