CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Malik Thomas delivered clutch late-game production with 16 points, while Thijs De Ridder added 15 as No. 10 Virginia edged North Carolina State, 81-74, in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament quarterfinal Thursday afternoon.

Reserve Jacari White contributed 13 points, and Sam Lewis scored all 12 of his points from 3-pointers for the second-seeded Cavaliers (28-4), who will face No. 3 seed Miami in Friday’s first semifinal. Virginia center Ugonna Onyenso recorded eight blocked shots, tying the second-most in a single ACC tournament game.

Virginia swept NC State in three meetings this season, but Thursday’s matchup was the closest of the three.

For seventh-seeded NC State (20-13), Paul McNeil Jr. scored 26 points, including six 3-pointers. Ven-Allen Lubin added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Matt Able chipped in 12 points off the bench.

The Wolfpack, projected safely into the NCAA Tournament, have lost seven of their last nine games. NC State extended its ACC tournament winning streak to six games after defeating Pitt in Wednesday’s second round.

NC State outscored Virginia 21-11 from the free-throw line, but a 9-0 run gave the Cavaliers a 55-45 lead that grew to 12 points. The Wolfpack remained in striking distance at 68-61 with over five minutes to play, and McNeil’s 3-pointer cut it to 70-64 before Thomas responded with a jumper.

Quadir Copeland’s three-point play at 1:24 gave NC State another chance, but De Ridder’s drive pushed Virginia ahead 76-69 with 1:11 remaining. McNeil’s late 3-pointer made it 78-74 with 27 seconds left, and although he stole the ball on the next possession, NC State missed both shots, sealing the Cavaliers’ win.

Virginia led 33-32 at halftime despite having no second-chance points in the first half. This victory marked only the fourth time Virginia has defeated NC State in 19 ACC tournament matchups. -Bob Sutton, Field Level Media/Reuters