The Miami basketball team had its third straight double-digit comeback versus Syracuse defeating the Orange 82-78 on Monday night at the Watsco Center. Miami rallied after trailing 55-44 with 14:44 remaining in the game. The Hurricanes overcame 18-point deficits in both games versus Syracuse last season.
Four Miami basketball players finished between 13 and 16 points led by Harlond Beverly and Norchard Omier. Beverly was huge off the bench making 4-7 of shots from the floor, 8-8 from the free throw line and adding two steals. Omier set his Miami high with 16 rebounds, seven offensive and shot 6-10 from the floor.
Miami set the tempo early taking an 11-2 lead. Syracuse rallied to take a 38-34 lead at halftime. Syracuse used excellent balance in the first half with nine Orange players scoring. The Orange were led by center Jesse Edwards who scored eight points and had eight rebounds and guard Joe Girard who matched Edwards’ scoring.
Edwards and Girard continued to blitz Miami in the second half. Edwards finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds and Girard finished with 21. Miami had excellent balance in the first half with four players scoring six points. Beverly and Omier led the Miami second half surge. Omier had 13 in the second half and Omier 10.
The presence of Omier to neutralize Edwards was critical for Miami. Miami outrebounded a long Syracuse team 40-36. The Hurricanes also needed all of their 25 made free throws in 28 attempts. Syracuse shot 14-17 from the line. Nijel Pack had one of his best games for Miami scoring 15 points on 5-9 threes.
Miami overcame a poor night from leading scorer Isaiah Wong. Wong scored nine points on 1-8 from the floor, 1-5 threes but was 6-7 on free throws. Beverly and Omier combined to make all six of their free throws in the final two mintues. Miami took the lead for good 71-70 on a three-point play by Jordan Miller with 2:51 left.
Miami was able to answer Syracuse just enough down the stretch to secure the win and improve to 15-3 overall and 6-2 alone in second place in the ACC. The Hurricanes are off until Saturday when they travel to Durham, North Carolina to face Duke. The Blue Devils are coming off of a 72-64 loss at Clemson on Saturday.