Miami basketball trailed by 30 at halftime blown out by Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech scored the first 12 points of the game, led 48-18 at halftime and cruised to an 87-60 blowout victory over the Miami basketball team on Saturday. Miami suffered its third straight loss and seventh in their last eight games to fall to 7-13 on the season overall and 3-12 in the ACC.
The Hurricanes are on pace for their worst season in 17 years in the ACC and worst overall record since finishing 7-20 in 1993-94. Miami only had six scholarship players available on Saturday as it was announced before the game that sophomore guard Harlond Beverly is unavailable indefinitely with a lingering back injury.
Miami leading scorer Isaiah Wong suffered an injured ankle in the first half and was out for the remainder of the game. Georgia Tech shot 63.3 percent in the opening half and made six of their 12 three-point attempts.
Miami shot 6-21 from the floor, made just two of their eight three-point attempts and four of their seven free-throw attempts in the opening 20 minutes. Walk-ons Willie Herenton and Fillipo Gkogkos had to play 20 and two minutes respectively. Miami essentially used a six-man rotation throughout the game.
Elijah Olaniyi led the Miami basketball team with 18 points and seven rebounds, Anthony Walker scored 16 and Nysier Brooks scored 12. Michael DeVoe led Georgia Tech with 29 points on 11-16 from the floor and 7-11 three-point attempts. Jose Alvarado had 16 and Moses Wright 14 for the Yellow Jackets.
Georgia Tech shot 57.1 percent for the game and made 11 of their 26 three-point attempts. Miami shot 39.2 percent and continued to struggle shooting three-point shots making five out of their 17 attempts. Miami is off until Wednesday when they host Florida State. The status of Wong against the Seminoles is unknown.
Miami plays the first of back-to-back road games next Saturday. The Hurricanes travel to Clemson on Wednesday and are at Virginia on March 1. Miami will conclude the regular season when the host Boston College on March 5. The ACC tournament will begin March 9 in Greensboro, North Carolina.