Miami basketball hot three-point shooting helps defeat Stetson
The Miami basketball team equaled their season average of six made three-point shots in the first half on their way to an 82-72 victory over Stetson on Monday night. Miami was playing for the first time in eight days. The Hurricanes now have nine days off before resuming ACC play on December 29 against North Carolina State.
Miami stayed hot throughout the game. The Miami basketball team exceeded their first-half total with eight three-point shots in the second half. Miami made 14-29 three-point shots in the game. Kameron McGusty continued his excellent play this year with 27 points. McGusty made 9-12 from the floor and 6-8 three-point shots.
Miami broke used a 13-2 run early in the first half to open a 21-9 lead. Stetson never got close than eight points the remainder of the game. Miami led 39-26 at halftime. McGusty paced three Hurricanes in double figures. Sam Waardenburg finished with 12 and Isaiah Wong had 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Stetson was led by Chase Johnston with 18 points on 6-11 three-point attempts. After holding Stetson to just 4-13 on threes in the first half, the Hatters made 9-13 from beyond the arc in the second half. Miami has to be more consistent on three-point defense when they resume ACC play next week.
Miami finished the game shooting 45.2 percent from the floor. Stetson shot 49.1 percent for the game and 61.5 percent in the second half. With the win, Miami resumes ACC play against the Wolfpack next week with a 9-3 record. If Miami can stay healthy they can exceed their preseason ACC ranking of 12th.
The 14 made threes for Miami are a season-high. Wong was the only other Hurricane with multiple threes. Jordan Miller led Miami with 11 rebounds. The game was not as close as the final score. Miami led 75-55 with 4:49 remaining before Stetson finished the game on a 17-7 run to cut the final deficit in half.