Miami Basketball gets big win at Minnesota
Miami basketball picked up a big win on the road on Wednesday night at Minnesota in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. The Hurricanes led almost the entire second half before holding off a late Golden Gopher rally to win 86-81.
After being tied 36 all at halftime, the Miami basketball team pulled away after taking the lead for good 40-38, 92 seconds into the second half. Five Miami Basketball players scored in double figures in the victory.
Dewan Huell led the victory with 23 points on 10 of 16 shooting from the floor. Huell set a new career high for the second time in the last three games.
Bruce Brown had his second straight game in double figures for the first time this season. He also had nine rebounds and five assists. Ja’Quan Newton scored 12, Dejan Vasiljevic 11 and Chris Lykes had 10.
The Hurricanes played a clean game in every way except at the free throw line. Miami made just six of 11 from the line for 54.5 percent. That was slightly below their season average of 57.3 percent.
The rest of the Hurricanes game was exceptional. Miami shot 50.7 percent from the floor, made 10 of their 25 three-point shots and had 20 assists to just eight turnovers.
With the lead late, Jim Larranaga went to a four-guard lineup. Dewan Huell stayed in the game in the post. That sacrificed some rebounding. Miami finished with a 41-34 deficit on the boards.
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After an even first half, the Hurricanes pulled away halfway through the final 20 minutes. The game was tied at 36 at halftime. A 7-0 run early in the second half game Miami a 45-38 lead. Minnesota was never able to regain the lead.
Miami did stretch the lead to 71-59 with just under nine minutes remaining. A 12-2 run by the Golden Gophers cut the lead to two with 3:48 remaining. Miami answered with another 7-0 run to essentially put the game away.
The Hurricanes made their free throws when they counted. Huell and Brown went five for five down the stretch to help put the game away.
Anthony Lawrence got the Hurricanes going early. He scored all eight of his points in the opening minutes and added seven rebounds and four assists.
Lykes 10 and Lonnie Walker six spurred Miami to a 16 to zero edge in bench scoring. All five starters for Minnesota scored in double figures.
Minnesota forward Jordan Murphy had his eighth straight double-double to start the season. He finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
The Miami defense stifled a good Minnesota three-point shooting team. The Golden Gophers finished five of 16 from beyond the arc.
Next: Miami Hurricanes PG Ja'Quan Newton This is the best team i've been on
Next Game: Miami basketball will host Princeton on Saturday night at the Watsco Center. Game time coincides with the kickoff of the ACC Championship at 8 PM ET. Princeton enters the game 2-4.