Miami Basketball Rattles Florida A&M 90-59, Walker Hurt
Miami basketball won its third straight game to start the season defeating in-state rival Florida A&M 90-59. The story of the game was Freshman star Lonnie Walker leaving the game in the first half with an ankle injury.
A pair of 10-0 runs in the first half gave the Miami basketball team a 46-22 lead at the intermission. Miami extended an 11-9 lead with a 10-0 run. They later enlarged a 33-19 lead with the second 10-0 run. The game was never closer than 22 in the second half.
Walker’s injury overshadowed the victory and was the story of the game. The injury was reportedly no more than a twisted ankle. There was cause for concern because of the Reading, Pennsylvania native’s surgery for a torn meniscus in July. Miami basketball Head Coach Jim Larranaga said he expects Walker to be fine.
The Hurricanes have the next five days off before playing in Walker’s hometown next Wednesday. Walker had been playing well on Thursday night before suffering the injury. The Freshman scored five points with two rebounds and a steal in ten minutes.
Larranaga was quoted in the Palm Beach Post after the game discussing Walker’s status.
"“We won’t know for a couple of days, but I think he’s fine…I’m sure he’ll be ready.”"
The game in Reading next Wednesday was scheduled because of Walker signing with the Hurricanes. Larranaga took a page from Dean Smith’s book. The Dean of Coaches, the maestro used to promise his players that they would get a game in their hometown during their four years in Chapel Hill.
Scheduling a game in a players hometown is more challenging now in the age of one and done. It sounds like Walker will be healthy by next week. Walker issued his own update after the game via Twitter.
I'm fine y'all 🤘🏾💯 now it's time to focus on COMING HOME!!! 🙏🏾
— Lonnie Walker IV (@lonniewalker_4) November 17, 2017
The Hurricanes were able to defeat the Rattlers without Walker by placing six other players in doubles figures. The starting guard trio of Dejan Vasiljevic, Bruce Brown and Ja’Quan Newton led the way with 15 points each.
The Hurricanes bounced back from a tough game shooting the basketball against Navy. The Hurricanes made 58.6 percent of their shots from the floor and 46.2 percent of their three-point shots. Miami’s free throw shooting continues to be an issue. The Hurricanes made just 10 of their 22 free throws.
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Brown bounced back after a tough game against Navy. He shot six of ten from the floor and made two of his four three-point attempts. Like his teammates, he struggled from the free throw line. Brown made just one of four from the charity stripe.
The only Hurricanes that shot over 50 percent from the line were Ja’quan Newton and Freshman point guard Chris Lykes. Newton was five for seven and Lykes two for three.
Newton was five of nine from the floor and added three rebounds, four assists, and a steal. He continues to have issues with turnovers committing four.
Brown had a performance that Miami fans have come to expect from him. He added eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Dewan Huell continued his strong play with ten points, five rebounds and shot four of six from the floor.
Dejan Vasiljevic played a good all-around floor game. He added four rebounds, two assists, a steal and shot three of six from three-point range.
Next Game: Next Wednesday in Reading, Pennsylvania against LaSalle. The Explorers have matched the Hurricanes record at 3-0. The Explorers defeated South Alabama Thursday night.
Next: Miami Basketball Potential Involvement in Bribery Case
After taking a 20 point lead at halftime that survived 81-73 after the Jaguars cut the lead to five with just over a minute remaining. B.J. Johnson led LaSalle with 30 points and ten rebounds.