CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s basketball team fell heartbreakingly to Virginia Tech (10-4, 1-2) Sunday afternoon by a final score of 68-64. The Hurricanes (11-4, 1-3) led for 32 minutes and 56 seconds throughout the contest; however, they surrendered a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter, as the Hokies ended the game on a 21-5 run to earn the victory.

Miami displayed a balanced offensive attack, with six players scoring five or more points, including three players reaching double figures in scoring. The Canes shot 44.6 percent from the field and 81.8 percent at the free throw line as a team while limiting Virginia Tech to just 38.2 percent shooting from the field, but the Hokies finished with a stellar clip of 37.9 percent from behind the arc.

Individually, Cameron Williams led the way for Miami, as she recorded a double-double with a 15-point, 10-rebound performance.

Jasmyne Roberts chipped in 13 points, and Haley Cavinder had a stellar all-around outing, scoring 12 points grabbing six rebounds, and recording a game-high six assists.

Hanna Cavinder added nine points, and freshman Leah Harmon posted six points off the bench for Miami.

The Canes jumped out to a 6-0 lead after burying three of their first four shot attempts. Virginia Tech fought back, and the two squads found themselves even at 10 points apiece with 3:33 left in the first quarter. The Hokies outscored the Canes 6-5 over the remainder of the period, as Miami entered the second quarter trailing Virginia Tech 16-15.

The back-and-forth play continued in the second quarter, and Miami and Virginia Tech entered halftime even at 28 points apiece. The Canes came out strong in the third period, opening the quarter on a 14-2 run to build a 42-30 advantage at 4:16. Miami maintained their lead and entered the final stanza ahead by seven points.

The Canes started the fourth quarter similarly to the third period. They went on an 8-3 run to take a 59-47 lead with just 7:36 to play. The Hokies began to move, taking a one-point lead with 1:03 remaining.

Miami made a lone free throw to tie the contest with 41 seconds left, but Virginia Tech was fouled and made a pair of free throws to retake the lead with 13 seconds to go. Miami missed a shot to tie the game, and VT made two more free throws to ice the game.

The Canes will return to the court next Sunday, January 12, as they are slated to travel to Syracuse to take on The Orange at 6 p.m.

Courtesy of Miami Athletics

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — One of the last playoff spots in the league will be determined on Sunday afternoon as the Miami Dolphins look to win their way into the postseason when they visit the New York Jets.

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Miami Dolphins (8-8) vs. New York Jets (4-12)

• When: Sunday, January 5
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• Where: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
• Channel: FOX
• Stream: FuboTV (Free Trial), DirecTV Stream, Sling

The Dolphins, despite all of the adversity they have faced this season, can still punch their ticket to the playoffs. With grit and willpower, they bounced back from losing six of their first eight games of the season to win six of their previous eight, including a 20-3 whipping of the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. Along with beating the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, Miami looks like they could be a threat if they can sneak into the postseason.

However, the Dolphins will need some help if they want their season to continue. Along with having to beat the Jets, they need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are resting some key players.

The Jets are eyeing a pretty comfortable spot in this year’s NFL Draft. Thanks to complete disarray with the trainwreck that is this franchise, the other team that plays in New Jersey has been just as bad as the other. The team heads into the final week of the season, having lost six of its last seven games, only beating the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15.

The Jets did give the Dolphins a run for their money in Week 14, with Miami needing overtime to come out on top. The Dolphins have won 12 of the last 14 meetings with the Jets.

MY PICK: Dolphins win, 21-17

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With the Miami Heat exploring offers for veteran star Jimmy Butler league-wide, there’s no telling how many contenders will come forth with a trade package.

The Heat’s preference to acquire win-now pieces in exchange for the 35-year-old trims down the list of possible destinations a sizeable amount. One organization that could offer a mix of established talent and future assets is Miami’s in-state rival, the Orlando Magic.

If the Magic are to acquire the six-time All-Star, The Sporting News’ Stephen Noh predicted the blockbuster deal to look similar to the following:

Magic receive: Jimmy Butler

Heat receive: Jonathan Isaac, Cole Anthony, Anthony Black, up to four first-round picks

This move gives the Magic an unstoppable trio at shooting guard, small forward, and power forward with Butler, Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner. Not having to part with guard Jalen Suggs in this proposed trade is also a huge benefit, as he would act as the primary facilitator for this hypothetical Big Three.

Isaac gives the Heat an elite defender, but the issue is he simply struggles to stay healthy. The main appeal of the package is the promising guard duo of Anthony and Black. Despite neither flashing serious All-Star potential so far in their NBA careers, both are less than 25 years old.

Under coach Erik Spoelstra’s leadership and the Heat’s development program, the sky is the limit.

MORE HEAT NEWS

NBA Insider Reveals When Miami Heat Plan To Trade Jimmy Butler

NBA MVP ‘Pushed’ For His Team To Acquire Jimmy Butler Yet Heat Refused To Engage

Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.