Miami basketball barely survives shootout versus Cornell

The Miami basketball team needed a Norchad Omier block on a three-point attempt by Max Watson of Cornell with five seconds remaining to defeat the Big Red 107-105 on Wednesday night at the Watsco Center. The points were the most the Miami basketball team has scored and allowed in a game at the Watsco Center.

Miami led 107-104 with five seconds remaining when Omier intentionally fouled Nazir Williams with five seconds remaining. Williams made the first and missed the second. Omier lost the ball out of bounds before Cornell’s final possession. Isaiah Wong secured the ball after Omier’s block and the win for Miami.

Wong scored a career-high with 36 points which were also the most in the ACC this season. Cornell and Miami set a frenetic pass from the opening tipoff. Miami led 66-52 at halftime with Wong scoring 22 points, Jordan Miller 15 and Omier 11 in the first half. Omier finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Miller has 22 points, five rebounds and four assists. The double-double was the fifth this season for Omier. Miami had to hang on after leading 75-54 with 17:45 remaining. Cornell finished the game on a 7-0 run with Miami turning the ball over five times in the last 3:31 of the game to allow Cornell a shot to win.

Cornell gradually chipped away at the Miami lead before the game-closing 7-0 run. Miami won the game at the free-throw line. The Hurricanes made 22 of 26 from the line. Cornell was 11-15. Miami needs to significantly improve defensively when they host North Carolina State on Saturday in their ACC 2022-23 home opener.

Cornell shot 51.9 percent from the floor. Miami did hold Cornell to 12-36 on three-point attempts. Conversely, the Miami offense was efficient all night led by Wong. Miami shot 55.4 percent from the floor and made 13 of their 26 three-point attempts. Turnovers in the second half nearly cost Miami the game.

The Hurricanes committed 10 turnovers in the second half to none for Cornell. Miami finished with 16 turnovers to seven for Cornell. The Big Red had a 29-9 advantage in points off turnovers. Cornell had 45 points off its bench. Bensley Joseph matched his career high from earlier this season against Florida A&M with 12 points.

Miami improves to 9-1 with the win, Cornell is 7-2 after the loss. The North Carolina State game at Miami on Saturday is scheduled for a 2 PM ET tipoff with the game on Bally Sports Sun and ACC Network extra. Cornell was the first of five straight home games for the Miami basketball team through Vermont and December 28.