The Miami basketball team got off to a 14-2 start, withstood a Pittsburgh comeback and cruised to an 85-64 victory. Miami led 47-27 at halftime and never led by less than XX in the second half. XXXX Hurricanes finished in double figures led by Charlie Moore and Kameron McGusty with 19. John Hugley led Pittsburgh with 20.
The first half was a game of runs. Pittsburgh answered the 14-2 Miami run to begin the game by scoring the next 10 points. Miami answered the Pittsburgh run with a 10-2 spurt. Pittsburgh was able to cut the lead to six before Miami closed the first half with a 23-9 run. Moore scored 14 and McGusty 13 in the first half.
Miami shot 55.2 from the floor, scored 30 points off 20 forced turnovers. The Hurricanes continued to pressure the Panthers in the second half outscoring them 38-37 after halftime. Pittsburgh had a late 12-0 run after Miami took an 80-50 lead. By that point, Miami had mostly reserves in the game.
Jim Larranaga was frustrated with four Miami turnovers and a 3:38 scoring drought during the Pittsburgh run. The double-digit scoring runs by Pittsburgh didn’t hinder the Miami basketball team. Take those runs out and Miami outscored Pittsburgh 84-42. Miami executed the game plan to earn a road victory.
The Hurricanes earned their fourth victory in the last five games. Miami earned their 20th win against eight losses this season. The Hurricanes are now 12-5 in the ACC and tied for third with North Carolina. Miami holds the tiebreaker having defeated North Carolina in January at home.
Miami is a game ahead of Wake Forest and Virginia in the ACC. The Hurricanes hold the tiebreaker over Wake Forest after sweeping them. Virginia swept Miami. The top four teams in the ACC receive a double-bye to the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament. Miami has to likely win two of its last three games for the double-bye.
Miami next hosts Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Hokies are 16-11 overall and 8-8 in the ACC and in eighth place. Miami won a memorable game in Blacksburg earlier this season on a Moore halfcourt shot on the buzzer. Saturday is the final home game of the season. Miami follows with games at Boston College and Syracuse.