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Miami Hurricanes Oust Syracuse 62-57 in ACC Tournament

By Alan Rubenstein

Mar 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Kamari Murphy (21) reacts after dunking against Syracuse Orange guard Andrew White III (3) and Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Kamari Murphy (21) reacts after dunking against Syracuse Orange guard Andrew White III (3) and Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Hurricanes got off to a hot start in the first half of their ACC Tournament opener and held on late with balanced scoring and a double-double from Kamari Murphy to oust Syracuse 62-57 in the second round of the ACC Tournament.

The Hurricanes shot 13-21 from the floor and 6-11 from three-point range in the first half on their way to a 36-28 lead at halftime. The Canes were led in the first half by Davon Reed with ten points, Four Hurricanes had between six and ten in the first half.

Kamari Murphy had his fourth double-double of the season in his return to Brooklyn. The fifth-year senior finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. That marks is high water mark this season when combining points and rebounds.

Syracuse took a short lived lead with a strong run out of the box in the second half. The Orange began the second half with 13-4 run to take a 41-40 lead with just over 12 minutes to go. The Hurricanes scored the next six points and although challenged throughout most of the second half would not trail again.

Miami used a very balanced offense. Four Hurricanes scored in double figures led by Murphy. Davon Reed had 14, Ja’Quan Newton 11 and DJ Vasiljevic had 13 off the bench. The Hurricanes shot the ball very well, particularly in the first half.

Although the Hurricanes cooled off significantly in the second half, they made the big shots when they needed to to win. Miami was 9-30 from the floor for 30 percent and 3-12 for 25 percent three-point shooting in the second half.

Overall the Canes shot 43 percent from the floor and 39 percent from three. The Hurricanes were also 5-6 from the line in the second half and 9-12 overall. Syracuse had trouble getting the Hurricanes to the line late in the game. They didn’t have enough fouls and had to commit two in the last ten seconds just to get Miami to the line.

Miami struggled early in the game. They didn’t get on the board until Anthony Lawrence hit a three 2:20 into the first half after Syracuse scored the game’s first four points. That began a 10-0 Miami run. Davon Reed scored the last five points in the run with a three-point shot and a layup off the fast break.

The Hurricanes had a chance to stretch the lead to ten at the end of the half, but Newton missed a layup after taking the ball strong to the hoop. Syracuse’s Taurean Thompson missed a three-point attempt and Murphy got the rebound to end the half.

The game was expected to be low scoring, but both teams began hot. The pace slowed down, but the shooting stayed hot throughout the first half. Syracuse was 11-21 from the floor and 3-8 on threes.

Andrew White was the only player that continued to attack Miami offensively. He led all scorers with 22 points. He also contributed five rebounds and was 9-10 from the free throw line.

Next: ACC Bracketology: Miami Hurricanes Path in the ACC Tournament

Next Game: North Carolina Thursday in the ACC Quarterfinals at noon. Miami defeated UNC 69-52 in their only meeting at the Watsco Center in January.

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