Miami basketball familiar stories in blowout loss to Florida State
The Miami basketball team was once again playing short-handed due to injuries and was blown out for the fourth time in five games in an 81-59 loss at Florida State. Miami was without preseason All-ACC guard Chris Lykes for the 13th straight game and guard Elijah Olaniyi and wing Earl Timberlake were also out.
Florida State bolted to a 33-11 lead in the first half. A 12-2 Miami run closed the first half to get Miami back into the game. The Hurricanes eventually cut the lead to 38-29 in the second half but never got closer. Miami led for only 24 seconds after a Kameron McGusty three-point shot gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead.
M.J. Walker put Florida State ahead to stay at 4-3. The Miami struggled in the first half making only eight of 25 from the floor. The Hurricanes did shoot above their season average making five of 13 three-point attempts to help their semi-comeback. Isaiah Wong had nine, Anthony Walker seven and McGusty in the first half.
No other Miami basketball players made shots from the floor in the first half. Eight players scored for Florida State in the first half led by M.J. Walker with seven. Florida State gradually stretched the lead outscoring Miami 30-18 in the first 12 minutes of the second half to take a 65-41 lead. Miami was overwhelmed again.
The loss was the fourth time in the last five games the Hurricanes lost by double digits. Miami lost 84-62 at Boston College two weeks ago, 83-57 at Syracuse last week and 73-57 to Notre Dame at the Watsco Center on Sunday. Florida State overwhelmed Miami with balance throughout the game as nine players scored.
Wong continued to get the focus from the opponent shooting 6-16 from the floor after 6-17 against Notre Dame. After making one of his eight three-point attempts against the Fighting Irish, Wong was 3-7 against Florida State. Wong led Miami with 21, McGusty and Walker were the only Hurricanes in double figures with 13.
Miami hindered by injuries in blowout to Notre Dame. dark. Next
Miami plays at Wake Forest on Saturday to end a stretch of five out of seven on the road. The Hurricanes return home to host Duke on Monday. Miami will play their next two and four out of its next seven at the Watsco Center. Miami drops to 6-9 overall and 2-8 in the ACC with the most losses in conference play.