Miami basketball survives USC late first NCAA Tournament win since 2016

Charlie Moore made two free throws with three seconds remaining and the Miami basketball team survived USC 68-66 to win its first NCAA Tournament game since 2016. The Hurricanes squandered a seven-point lead in the final minute before Moore made the game-winning free throws.

Isaiah Wong carried the Miami offense for most of the game. Wong finished with 22 points before fouling out with 2:07 remaining. Miami made nine of 10 free throws down the stretch to earn the victory. Drew Peterson scored eight points in the final minute to bring USC back from the seven-point deficit.

A pair of free throws from freshman Bensley Joseph extended the Miami lead to 65-58 with 44 seconds remaining. Peterson made a three-point shot with 35 seconds remaining. On the subsequent inbounds, Peterson trapped Moore along the sideline. Moore turned it over giving USC the ball with 31 seconds left.

Peterson made another three with 26 seconds remaining. Sam Waardenburg followed that up by splitting a pair of free throws with 24 seconds left. A Peterson layup with 14 seconds left tied the game. Moore drove the lane and was fouled with three seconds left on the next possession, making both shots.

Peterson received the inbounds pass from Isaiah Mobley and hit the rim from halfcourt to allow Miami to earn the victory. Miami improved to 24-10 with the win. USC ends their season at 26-8. Moore finished with 16 points and Kameron McGusty scored 12. Miami got off to a good start taking a 31-20 lead at halftime.

The 20 points were the fewest for USC in the first half this season. Wong was sensational early scoring the first 13 points for Miami in the first 10 minutes of the game. Miami led by as many as 13 points in the first half. USC began the second half with a 17-2 run to take a 37-33 lead with 14:44 remaining in the game.

Miami fought back to take a 38-37 lead on a Wong jump shot. The game remained one possession until the Hurricanes’ seven-point lead with 44 seconds remaining. Miami forced 18 turnovers while committing only three. USC dominated inside with a 38-26 rebounding advantage. Miami survived abysmal three-point shooting.

The Miami basketball team made one of 14 three-point attempts. Charlie Moore made the only three-point shot of the game for Miami with 5:47 remaining in the game. Miami advances to play Auburn on Sunday. Auburn defeated Jacksonville State 81-62 on Friday afternoon. Auburn has size similar to USC.