Sophomore guard Isaiah Wong had another outstanding game with 28 points but it wasn’t enough as the Miami basketball team lost their fifth straight and ninth in their last 10, 66-58 at Clemson on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers swept the season series after a 66-65 victory in Coral Gables last month.
Aamir Sims led Clemson with 19 points and six rebounds after having 25 and seven against Miami last month. Miami tried to rally after falling behind by 13 in the second half. The Hurricanes cut the lead to 57-54 after an Elijah Olaniyi three-point play. Clemson scored the next eight points to put the game away.
Miami continues to fade down the stretch of games with only six healthy scholarship players. It has been the story for the Miami basketball program over the last three seasons. Anthony Walker had a double-double for Miami with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Al-Amir Dawes equaled Simms 19 points for Clemson.
Miami played one of its better games recently trailing 34-30 at halftime. Elijah Olaniyi had eight points and nine rebounds for the Hurricanes. Miami failed to defend the three-point line again. Clemson shot 11-22. Simms made three of his four three-point attempts and Dawes made all four.
With the loss, Miami falls to 7-15 overall and 3-14 in the ACC in 14th place only ahead of Boston College. The Eagles are 1-9 in the ACC with their only victory over Miami in Chestnut Hill last month. Miami is locked into no higher than a 13th place finish in the ACC this season ahead of the ACC Tournament next month.
Miami will play in the opening round of the ACC Tournament beginning March 9 in Greensboro. The Hurricanes play their last road game of the season on Monday night against second-place Virginia and host Boston College on Friday. Injuries have hindered the Miami basketball program for the third consecutive season in 2020-21.