Miami basketball clinches ACC Tournament double bye with win at Boston College

Feb 22, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami (Fl) Hurricanes head coach Jim Larranaga (second from right) reacts as he talks to his team in the huddle against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami (Fl) Hurricanes head coach Jim Larranaga (second from right) reacts as he talks to his team in the huddle against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami basketball team will have a double-bye in the ACC Tournament after an 81-70 win at Boston College on Wednesday night. Miami took care of business over Boston College. The Hurricanes took a 40-25 lead at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half.

Isaiah Wong led the way with a season-high 27 points. Jordan Miller had 18 points and six assists, Sam Waardenburg had 16 and five, Kameron McGusty 10 and Charlie Moore eight. Miami shot 56.4 percent from the floor and made 10 out of 21 three-point attempts. BC made just six of 17 three-point shots.

The win was critical for Miami as they continue its quest for its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2018. Makai Ashton-Langford led four Eagles in double figures with 21 points. Boston College scored the first two points of the game when James Karnik beat the shot clock. Miami answered with the next nine points.

The Hurricanes would not trail after the game-opening field goal by Boston College. The Miami basketball team held Boston College to 38.5 percent from the floor and one for nine on three-point attempts in the first half. Boston College shot 60 percent from the floor and made five of its eight three-point shots in the second half.

Miami fueled their 15 point first-half lead with 17 points off of eight Boston College turnovers. Miami finished the game with a 21 to 12 advantage in points off of turnovers. Miami has thrived off turnovers this season. If Miami is going go to make a run in March, the Hurricanes need to continue to score off turnovers.

Miami ends the regular season on Saturday at Syracuse. The Orange lost on Monday night in overtime at North Carolina. Syracuse is 15-15 overall and 9-10 in the ACC. Syracuse will be either the eighth or ninth seed in the ACC Tournament and play Florida State next Thursday. Miami will begin ACC Tournament play next Friday.

Miami will finish third in the ACC with a win against Syracuse and North Carolina loss to Duke. If those scenarios happen, Miami would not play against Duke before the ACC Championship Game. Miami has earned its first double-bye in the ACC Tournament since 2018. Miami advanced to the quarterfinals with two wins last year.

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