Cavaliers lean on Scott, Harris to hold off Clemson

The Virginia coaching staff has been pointing it out recently during film sessions: Opponents are throwing their energies into guarding Mike Scott and Joe Harris, and daring the rest of the Cavaliers to beat them.

It might not be a bad strategy — if it were possible to shut down Scott and Harris.

The duo came through once again Tuesday night, helping UVa escape with a 65-61 victory against Clemson. The No. 16 Cavs built a double-digit second-half lead, but nearly squandered it as the Tigers applied pressure defense late.

"Now that we’re having success, I feel like we’re going to get the best out of every team," guard Jontel Evans said. "I feel like we should expect a game like that every time we step out on the court."

As Evans and Sammy Zeglinski struggled to produce offense, Harris capably filled the void. He scored 19 points, including 5-for-6 from the 3-point line.

He was bested on the stat sheet only by Scott, who finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead all players.

"Now teams are worried about Joe, and they’ll forget about me," the senior forward said. "Or they’ll worry about me and forget about Joe. Either way, one of us will get production."

It was Scott who got the opportunity to deliver with the game on the line for Virginia (18-3, 5-2 ACC)

Clemson (11-10, 3-4) trailed by as many as 10 in the final minutes, but the Tigers’ press defense forced a jump ball and a turnover to cut into the lead.

After Zeglinski missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with a minute remaining, Devin Booker hit a 3-point shot that made the score 61-58 for UVa.

On the ensuring possession Zeglinski missed a 3-pointer, giving Clemson an opportunity to tie the game. Andre Young had an open look at a 3-point shot but missed it with 20 seconds remaining.

Scott then iced the game at the line, hitting both parts of a 1-and-1 and, after a Tanner Smith 3-pointer, delivered two more to seal victory with 6.8 seconds left.

"We walk a fine line, and we need everything," coach Tony Bennett said. "We can’t afford to have many breakdowns."

Asked about Zeglinski, who finished 1-for-7 from the 3-point arc, Bennett said that mentally "it probably does get in your mind, but I’m not going to change my answer: When he has a rhythm shot, he needs to take it."

The senior guard, who is shooting 25 percent from behind the arc in ACC play, dismissed the notion that he’s in a funk.

"I don’t feel like I’m in a slump," he said. "I feel like I keep getting good looks and they’re going to fall. I don’t think it’s really a slump. I shot well last game, and this game I was a little off."

Evans was unable to carry some of the scoring load, turning the ball over five times, including three charging violations.

"He wasn’t the best with his decision making," Bennett said.

But all that was overcome by another stellar performance from UVa’s top two scorers.

Scott and Harris know they’re being targeted by defenses, but Harris said he’s not going to dwell on that.

"It’s a nice compliment," he said. "I don’t think too much about it. I’m just going to play as hard as I can every game."

For the second consecutive game, those efforts were rewarded with a victory in the final seconds.