Isaiah Wong shines as Miami basketball wins opener over North Florida
Sophomore guard Isaiah Wong led the Miami basketball team in their season-opening victory over North Florida on Sunday night.
The Miami basketball team won their season opener as sophomore guard Isaiah Wong continued his strong play from the second half of last season. Wong scored 20 points to lead Miami to a 77-59 victory over North Florida in their season opener on Sunday night. Senior and team leader Chris Lykes struggled.
Lykes was named first-team all-ACC but scored just 11 points on 3-13 from the floor with five assistants and four rebounds. Wong added seven rebounds and made an efficient 9-14 from the floor as five Hurricanes finished in double figures. Sophomore guard Harlond Beverly came off the bench to match Lykes with 11.
Senior guard Kameron McGusty and freshman forward Matt Cross each scored 10. Cross had an all-around good game from the floor shooting 4-5, 2-3 on three-point attempts and added seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks in an impressive and poised college debut.
Miami led 42-34 at halftime but was not able to put the Ospreys away until scoring the final nine points of the game. The Hurricanes defense was vastly improved over last season. Miami held North Florida to 31.3 percent from the floor and 30 percent on three-point attempts. Carter Hendricksen led North Florida with 21.
Hendricksen is the Ospreys only returning starter. Miami made the junior forward work for his points. Hendricksen shot 7-22 from the floor and 4-17 on threes. Jonathan Aybar was the only other player for North Florida in double figures finishing with 12 points. The Miami balance was a big reason for the Hurricanes victory.
Next. Miami basketball will be led by backcourt in 2020-21. dark
Miami opens the 2020-21 season with their first six games at home. The Hurricanes host Stetson on Friday before getting into the more difficult part of their schedule against Purdue on December 8 in the ACC-Big 10 Challenge. Miami opens ACC play at home against Pittsburgh on December 16 at the Watsco Center.