Isaiah Wong carries Miami basketball to upset victory over Louisville
Isiah Wong carried the Miami basketball with a career-high 30 points and had a key assist in the final minute and the Hurricanes earned a 78-72 upset victory over ACC first-place Louisville on Saturday night at the Watsco Center. Miami held off Louisville after taking a 36-21 early in the second half.
The victory was the biggest of the season for the Hurricanes over the number 16 Cardinals. Wong bounced back with a huge performance after not scoring in double figures in two of the last three games. Wong fed Elijah Olaniyi for a critical layup with 26 seconds remaining that stretched the Miami lead to 75-69.
Miami cruised to a 33-21 lead at halftime and extended to 36-21 on an Olaniyi three-point shot 19 seconds into the second half. Louisville went a 23-9 run following the Olaniyi three-point shot to cut their deficit to one. Wong followed with a jumper and the Cardinals never got closer than two the rest of the game.
Freshman Matt Cross also had a big performance with 16 points on four of six three-point shooting and added four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Olaniyi was the only other Miami basketball player in double figures finishing with a high in his Hurricanes career 15 points. Nysier Brooks had eight points and 11 rebounds.
Louisville had three players in double figures led by guard Carlick Jones with 25 points, as he battled with Wong all game, Jae’lyn Withers had 18 and 10 rebounds and Dre Davis scored 10. The lead changed hands a few times early, but Miami had its last advantage 8-7 just over six minutes into the game.
Miami was incredibly efficient offensively shooting 49.2 percent from the floor and making eight out of its 20 three-point attempts. Louisville shot 45 percent from the floor and made 15-18 free throws, but Miami held the Cardinals to three of 20 on three-point attempts. Miami also had a 38-31 rebounding advantage.
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The Hurricanes improve to 6-6 overall and 2-5 in the ACC. Miami travels to Syracuse on Tuesday night with a 6:00 PM tipoff. The Orange lost 96-79 at Pittsburgh on Saturday to fall to 7-4 overall, 1-3 in the ACC. Eleventh place in the ACC Miami will play 12th place Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. Miami won 69-65 at home last season.