Miami finishes abysmal Charleston Classic performance losing to VCU

Miami got into a deep hole for the third straight game and never led during a 77-70 loss to VCU in the seventh place game at the Charleston Classic. Miami never led in their previous losses to Drake and Oklahoma State in Charlotte. Miami has seemed to lack cohesiveness with only three returning players from the 2023-24 roster.

After falling behind 7-0 versus Drake on Thursday and 9-0 to Oklahoma State on Friday, Miami trailed VCU 10-2 and 13-4 on Sunday. Miami eventually got within 23-21 before VCU went on a 10-0 run to extend their lead to 12. VCU led 42-33 at halftime. Miami shot 40.7 percent in the first half.

VCU shot 51.6 percent from the floor and made eight of its 17 three-point attempts in the first half. After Miami cut the deficit to 53-48, VCU methodically pulled away and the Rams took their biggest lead of the game 72-56. Miami went on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 72-66, but never got any closer.

Center Lynn Kidd led Miami with 14 points and 10 rebounds on 5-6 from the floor. Jalen Blackmon with 11 and Nijel Pack with 10 were the only other Miami players in double-figures. Jim Larranaga played 11 players on Sunday in an effort to find some combination that worked.

VCU was led by Joe Bamisile with 22 points and five rebounds. Max Shulga had 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Bamisile made nine o his 17 shots from the floor and four of 10 three-point attempts. Shulga was 5-10 and 4-8. VCU shot 50.9 percent from the floor and made 10 of its 28 three-point attempts.

Miami finished 40.0 percent from the floor and made six of its 23 three-point attempts. Oklahoma State held Miami to 6-24 on three-point attempts. Larranaga has a lot to figure out before Miami hosts Charleston Southern on Saturday. Arkansas follows at Miami on December 3.