Miami basketball blitzes North Carolina 85-57
The Miami basketball team used a 14-0 run in the first half to take control 16-5 and held North Carolina without a field goal for nearly five minutes on their way to a dominant 85-57 victory on Tuesday night at the Watsco Center. Miami improves to 14-4 overall and continues to lead the ACC with a 6-1 record.
North Carolina falls to 12-5 overall and 4-2 in the ACC. Miami has now won 10 of its last 11 games. Sam Waardenburg finished with career-high 21 points, Isaiah Wong scored 25 and Kameron McGusty finished with 20, 10 rebounds and four assists. Miami extended the lead throughout the first half and led 49-22 at halftime.
Waardenburg finished with 17 in the first half, Wong 15 and McGusty 12. Miami had an impressive night shooting making 46.0 percent from the floor and 13-28 of its three-point attempts. The Hurricanes held North Carolina to 33.8 from the floor and 6-30 three-point shots. Miami also forced 14 turnovers while committing only four.
Live ball turnovers have been key for Miami all season. The Hurricanes outscored North Carolina 30-5 in points off turnovers. There was not much Miami did wrong in the first half. The Hurricanes maintained what they needed to in the second half. North Carolina never got closer than 25 points in the second half.
It was the most complete performance of the season for the Miami basketball team. The Hurricanes nearly held the lead for the entire game. Miami trailed for only 2:32, held the lead for 36:42 and it was tied for only 46 seconds. The Hurricanes came out with a sense of urgency and dominated North Carolina.
Next. Miami makes first 2022 bracketology appearance. dark
Miami next hosts Florida State on Saturday. The Seminoles gave Miami its only ACC loss 65-64 last week in Tallahassee. Florida State is playing Duke on Tuesday night. A win over Florida State on Saturday would likely get Miami into the Top 25 for the first time this season. Miami has received votes the last two weeks.