BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) Keve Aluma scored a career-high 26 points and No. 24 Virginia Tech made crucial free throws in the final minute on the way to an 80-78 victory over Miami on Tuesday night.

Aluma hit 9 of 16 shots from the floor and 7 of 10 from the free-throw line for the Hokies (8-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who won their fourth straight game and will enter 2021 at the top of the ACC standings. Aluma added six rebounds and four assists.

Justyn Mutts added 15 points for Virginia Tech, which made three free throws in the final 37 seconds to hold off the 'Canes (4-3, 0-2). Tyrece Radford finished with 13 points, and Jalen Cone had 12 for the Hokies.

Isaiah Wong and Matt Cross paced Miami with 16 points apiece.

The 'Canes trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half, but rallied in the closing seconds. Wong missed a 3-pointer with five seconds left that would have given Miami the lead. Mutts then missed two free throws for the Hokies with 3 seconds left, but Tech's Wabissa Bede stole an outlet pass after the second miss, closing out the game.

UP NEXT

Miami: The 'Canes host Clemson on Saturday.

Virginia Tech: The Hokies play at No. 23 Virginia on Saturday.