Miami basketball dominated in second half losing 96-64 to Alabama
The Miami basketball team was dominated in the second half after trailing 33-30 at halftime in a 96-64 loss to Alabama in the fifth-place game of the ESPN Invitational in Kissimmee, Florida. Miami led 27-18 with 6:22 remaining in the first half. Alabama outscored Miami 78-37 from that point forward.
Miami’s defense was abysmal in the second half. After holding Alabama to 42.3 percent shooting and 3-13 threes in the first half, the Hurricanes allowed the Crimson Tide to shoot 63.9 percent from the floor and make 13-17 threes in the second half. Miami has to improve defensively to avoid a fourth straight losing season.
The Hurricanes entered the game against Alabama 286th in field goal percentage defense and 332nd in three-point defense. Alabama shot 53.6 and made 16-30 three-point field goals for the game. Miami was blitzed being outscored 63-34 in the second half. The Hurricanes shot 46.0 percent and made four of 17 threes.
Kameron McGusty who scored 10 points in the first half didn’t score his first points of the second half until 7:01 remained in the game. McGusty finished with 21. Isaiah Wong had 14 and Charlie Moore’s 12 were the only Hurricanes to finish in double figures. McGusty heated up in the second half, but it was too late.
Alabama outscored Miami 28 to eight off the bench. Only a strong second half against North Texas prevented Miami from losing all three games in Kissimmee. Miami needed to rally from a 40-28 halftime deficit for a 69-63 victory over North Texas on Friday. The Miami basketball team will get tested this week.
Next. Miami wakes up to defeat North Texas at ESPN Invitational. dark
After playing at Penn State in the ACC-Big 10 Challenge on Wednesday, Miami hosts Clemson in the ACC opener on Saturday. Miami has had to rely too much on McGusty, Moore and Wong offensively and has had a porous defense this season. Jim Larranaga and his staff have a lot to figure out quickly.