The Miami Hurricanes suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Loyola Ramblers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. A season that started with high expectations ended in disappointment.
The first round loss in the NCAA Tournament was the Miami Hurricanes second year in a row to be ousted in their opening game. Senior Ja’Quan Newton‘s career comes to end. It likely was also the last game in a Miami uniform for Sophomore Bruce Brown and Freshmen Lonnie Walker.
Brown continued to be out with an injured foot. Walker led Miami with 12 points in the loss. Newton and Walker both spoke to reporters after the game. They both discussed the last play of the game and Loyola’s game-winning shot to defeat the Miami Hurricanes.
"JaQuon, can you kind of run us through that last play? JA’QUAN NEWTON: “Lonnie was at the line. He had missed the shot, and he had an opportunity when they got the rebound to run, and I couldn’t really see what happened because I wanted to go find my man. I just seen the ball go in the net.”"
The Hurricanes had a lot of chances to put Loyola away after Newton’s baseline fallaway jumper from the right baseline gave Miami a two-point lead with 44 seconds remaining. On the Ramblers next possession guard, Marques Towns split two free throws to cut the Miami lead to one.