All five Miami starters scored in double figures and the Hurricanes beat Jacksonville 86-69 on Monday night at the Watsco Center to win their debut under new head coach Jai Lucas. Miami used a 10-0 run to take the lead about midway through the first half and never trailed after that.
The game began with a series of runs. Miami scored the first six points of the game. Jacksonville answered with its own 9-0 run. Miami responded with a 10-0 run to regain control with an 18-12 lead and never trailed after that.
Miami was not able to completely put Jacksonville away and led 41-35 at halftime. After Jacksonville scored the first two points of the second half, Miami went on an 11-2 run to take a 52-39 lead. Miami maintained a double-digit lead throughout the rest of the game, except Jacksonville briefly getting within eight.
Malik Reneau led Miami with 20 points on five of nine from the field and 10 of 12 from the free throw line with two rebounds and two assists. Center Ernset Udeh Jr. had 14 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks, five-star freshman Shelton Henderson scored 15 and guards Tru Washington had 12 and Tre Donaldson 11 for Miami.
After Jacksonville made three consecutive threes to take the lead early in the game, Miami held Jacksonville to four of 24 for the remainder of the game. Miami dominated on the front line by outrebounding Jacksonville 44-30 and outscoring the Dolphins 44-30 in the point.
Miami made only three of 14 three-point attempts, but was 29-37 from the free-throw line. Jacksonville was only seven of 14 from the free throw line, but outscored Miami 34-14 in bench points. Miami next hosts Bethune-Cookman on Thursday. Bethune-Cookman pushed Auburn to overtime before losing 95-90 in overtime on Monday night.