ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by its final frantic seconds, SMU guard Boopie Miller delivered a game-winning 3-pointer with five seconds remaining to lift the Mustangs to a 77-76 victory over Virginia Tech in a tense Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball clash Wednesday night at Moody Coliseum.

The contest, witnessed by a crowd of 5,048, was a back-and-forth affair that featured 12 ties and 15 lead changes, with neither team ever leading by more than eight points. It ultimately hinged on a series of critical plays in the final half-minute, culminating in Miller’s clutch shot.

Virginia Tech, which had fought back from a five-point deficit inside the final three minutes, appeared to seize control when Jaden Schutt sank a 3-pointer from the left wing off a Neoklis Avdalas assist to put the Hokies ahead 76-74 with 29 seconds left. SMU called a full timeout to set up a final play.

Out of the timeout, Miller’s initial 3-point attempt from the top of the key was off the mark, but the Mustangs retained possession after a held ball. On the ensuing inbounds play, Miller received a pass from BJ Edwards and connected on a deep 3-pointer from the right wing, silencing the traveling Hokie supporters and putting SMU up by one.

Virginia Tech had one final chance. Ben Hammond was fouled on the inbound with four seconds left but missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity. Tobi Lawal grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled on the putback attempt with three seconds remaining. Lawal made the first free throw to tie the game but missed the second. Samet Yigitoglu secured the defensive rebound for SMU and was immediately fouled.

Yigitoglu also missed the first shot of a one-and-one, giving Virginia Tech possession under its own basket with two seconds left. However, on the inbounds pass, Amani Hansberry’s pass was intercepted by SMU’s BJ Edwards, who called timeout with 0.7 seconds left to seal the Mustang victory.

The game was a study in contrasting styles. SMU, despite shooting just 3 of 15 from 3-point range, dominated inside, scoring 34 points in the paint and converting 16 of 23 free throw attempts. Virginia Tech countered by hitting nine 3-pointers and forcing 10 SMU turnovers, which they converted into 13 points, while also holding a 12-4 advantage in fastbreak points.

Miller, a junior from Chicago, led all scorers with 24 points, including the decisive three, and added six assists. His backcourt mate, BJ Edwards, contributed four points and four assists, including the critical pass on the game-winner. SMU’s interior was anchored by a strong performance from 7-foot-2 center Samet Yigitoglu of Istanbul, Turkey, who scored 14 points, blocked two shots, and consistently altered Virginia Tech’s attempts at the rim. Jaden Toombs added 12 points and Jaron Pierre chipped in 13 for the Mustangs.

Virginia Tech was led by Jailen Bedford’s 22 points. The Austin, Texas, native was aggressive attacking the basket throughout the night. Jaden Schutt provided a major spark off the bench, scoring all 15 of his points on 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. The Hokies’ backcourt of Ben Hammond and Neoklis Avdalas combined for 21 points and 11 assists, with Avdalas also recording six steals.

The first half set the tone for the nail-biter, with SMU taking a narrow 39-38 lead into the break. The Mustangs built their largest lead of the game at eight points early in the second half, but the Hokies chipped away, using an 11-2 run to take a brief lead midway through the period.

Defensive intensity was a hallmark, with Virginia Tech recording nine steals and SMU blocking five shots. Both teams committed 10 turnovers, but SMU’s ability to get to the free-throw line 23 times compared to Virginia Tech’s 18 proved a subtle difference. The Hokies also won the battle on the offensive glass, 11-9, but could not convert several key second-chance opportunities in the final minutes.

With the win, SMU improved to 13-4 overall and secured a crucial conference victory at home. Virginia Tech, which had won four of its last five entering the game, fell to 13-5. The loss continued a pattern of narrow defeats for the Hokies, who have now lost three games by a single point this season.

According to pregame analytics, SMU was projected with a 79.6% probability to win and was installed as a six-point favorite. The total score of 153 points fell under the over/under line of 158.

SMU will next host Virginia on Saturday, while Virginia Tech returns home to face Notre Dame, also on Saturday.