The Miami basketball team survived a 28-3 FIU run spanning the first and second halves to win 80-76. Miami answered the FIU run with their own 19-0 spurt. Matthew Cleveland led all scorers and four Hurricanes in double figures with 23 points. Miami played by far its worst game of the season.
Miami led 28-11 with 9:56 remaining in the first half. FIU outscored Miami 42-13 from that point on through 16:10 remained in the game. That is when Miami used their own 19-0 run to cease the lead. FIU eventually got back within two but never regained the lead. There is a lot for Miami to work on after the game versus FIU.
Miami had 14 turnovers, was outscored 24-2 in second chance points, 34-4 off the bench, 40-26 on points in the paint and had seven offensive rebounds to 16 for FIU. The only second chance points for the Miami basketball team came off of a Cleveland offensive rebound with 5:37. Miami had 28 fast break points to two for FIU.
The game between FIU and Miami was their first in 15 years. FIU stormed in front with a 28-3 run spanning the two halves. The FIU run immediately preceeded the 19-0 Miami run. FIU began the second half on a 14-0 run. Miami struggled on the defensive glass with Norchad Omier limited to 24 minutes because of foul trouble.
Cleveland was hot the entire game finishing 8-10 from the floor, 3-3 on threes, 4-5 free throws and had seven rebounds and four assists. Bensley Joseph and Wooga Poplar added 18 points for Miami and Nijel Pack had his best game of the season with 17. Omier finished with six points but had 11 rebounds and two assists.
Miami received key baskets down the stretch from all five starters. The Hurricanes did just enough to keep the game two possessions over the last 7:05. Miami shot 58.5 percent from the floor made 13 of its 21 three-point attempts and 11 of 14 free throws. FIU stayed in the game because of bench points and second chance points.
Miami is off until Friday afternoon when they play Georgia in the Baha Mar Bahamas Hoops Championship. Either Providence or Kansas State will await Miami on Sunday. Providence and Kansas State both played in the NCAA Tournament last season. Kansas State lost to FAU in the Elite Eight.