Miami basketball teams win season openers easily

The Miami women's basketball team began the season with a 78-53 win over Stetson on Monday and the men followed with a 113-72 victory over Farleigh Dickinson to begin new eras for both programs. Tricia Cullop coached her first official game for the women and the men won with nearly an entirely new roster.

The 113 points was the most Miami has scored in a game since the Hurricanes had 115 versus Coppin State in 1989. Miami will have an excellent offensive team in 2024-25. Their success will likely depend on how well they play defensively.

Lynn Kidd started for Miami in his Hurricanes debut. Kidd scored 24 points on 10-11 from the floor, 4-4 from the free throw line and added nine rebounds. Three Miami players finished in double-figures led by Kidd. Nijel Pack had 21 on 9-11 from the floor with five assists and Jalen Blackmon scored 15.

Miami went on a 12-0 run after Farleigh Dickinson opened the scoring on a Dylan Jones three-point shot. The Hurricanes never trailed again. Miami led 56-35 at halftime. Miami was able to force 15 turnovers while committing only eight. Miami had a 27-8 advantage in points off of turnovers.

As they usually do under Jim Laranaga, Miami had a big advantage from the free-throw line. Miami shot from 14-18 from the free throw line while FDU finished 15-24. Both teams shot the ball well from the field overall but struggled on three-point attempts. Miami shot 66.7 percent from the floor and made seven of 17 three-point attempts.

FDU shot 47.2 from the floor but made only 7-23 three-point attempts. The Knights were led by Terrance Brown with 18 points. Dylan Jones with 15 and Jo'el Emmanuel 13 as the only Knights in double figures. FDU was never able to recover after the Miami 12-0 run. The Knights trailed by as many as in the loss.

After trailing 16-13 at the end of the first quarter, Miami used three dominant quarters on their way to the win. Four Hurricanes finished in double figures led by Jasmyn Roberts with 16 points and six rebounds. Cameron Points had 10 points and 10 rebounds, Haley Cavinder had 12 points and eight rebounds and Ahnay Adams scored 10.

The Miami women are off until next Monday when they host Jacksonville. The men next play on Sunday at 2 PM versus Binghampton. Miami begins the season with three home games. Miami hosts Coppin State on November 17 before playing in the Charleston Classic over Thanksgiving.