Guards lead Miami basketball win over Lipscomb
Kameron McGusty had 29 and Isaiah Wong 20 as the Miami basketball team pulled away late in the first half for a 76-59 victory over Lipscomb on Wednesday night at the Watsco Center. A 14-2 run to end the first half gave Miami a 35-26 halftime lead. Miami maintained the double-digit lead for most of the second half.
The Hurricanes had one of their best all-around efforts against the Bisons. Lipscomb shot 37.1 percent from the floor and made only seven out of 28 three-point shots. Miami shot 51.6 percent from the floor and made six out of their 20 three-point shots. The Hurricanes improve to 7-3 with the victory. Lipscomb is 5-5 with the loss.
Miami forced 15 turnovers while committing 10. The Hurricanes had 17 assists. Jordan Miller had one of his best games for Miami with 12 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Kaleb Coleman led Lipscomb with 12 points in only 19 minutes. Lipscomb and Miami traded the lead throughout the opening 14 minutes.
Miami used great balance on the late first-half run with six different players scoring. McGusty and Wong carried scoring for most of the remainder of the game. Miami has won three in a row following the blowout loss to Alabama in Orlando on Thanksgiving weekend. The Hurricanes defense has improved significantly.
The Miami basketball team ranked below 300 nationally in field percentage defense and three-point field goal percentage defense. The Hurricanes have been much better defensively in the wins over Penn State, Clemson and Lipscomb. Miami should be able to score this season with McGusty and Wong.
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The defense will be the key. If Miami can continue to play well defensively they can finish higher than 12th in the ACC where they were picked in the preseason polls. Miami travels to Brooklyn to play Fordham at the Barclay’s Center on Sunday at 11:30 AM. Fordham is 6-4 with a game against Long Island University tomorrow night.