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GREENSBORO -- Durand Scott hardly looked the part of timid freshman.

Miami coach Frank Haith had implored his rookie point guard to take control of his team's offense throughout the season. Scott's indifference to his teammates was laudable, but not what they needed.

He gave it to them Friday, pushing 12th-seeded Miami past No. 4 Virginia Tech 70-65.

Scott's trio of dashing drives into the low post rallied the Hurricanes into the lead with three minutes left. Miami's bruisers inside, Reggie Johnson and James Dews, helped cement a defensive shutout in the final two minutes, keeping Cinderella's midnight at bay.

"The coaches put the ball in my hands, and I just wanted to go out there and make the best play possible," Scott said. "I know I am a good driver, I know what I am best at, so my main focus was to do what the coaches wanted me to do and it came down my way."

Scott first dashed left, banking in a shot and drawing a foul from J.T. Thompson. His free throw provided a 62-61 lead. Scott answered Terrell Bell's 3-pointer with a repeat drive down the left side of the lane, and then made two foul shots after clearing a defender to reach the low post for a jumper and a 66-65 lead.

Virginia Tech never scored again, missing six shots in five possessions. Badly beaten on the boards throughout (46-29), the Hokies' only rebound was a missed tip-in.

"When Coach talked about defense at the end of the game, I just tried to get my team on the same page," Scott said.

Johnson, the Winston-Salem standout who anchored Thursday's upset of Wake Forest, finished with a game-high 12 boards. Scott scored 17 points and drained all five free throws for a team whose accuracy surged at the foul line (16 of 21; 67 percent season).

"Give them credit," Virginia Tech's Dorenzo Hudson said. "They beat us on offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds."

DeQuan Jones said Haith's message was emphatic.

"These past couple of days that has been the emphasis -- rebounding and getting out to the loose balls," Jones said. "If we can get those, we are at a great advantage."

As for a third game in three days, youthful mind-sets from Coral Gables are prevailing.

"In AAU, we played four games in one day," Scott said. "This is what I am here for. This is what I like. I love to play basketball."

The 'Canes will, for at least another day.