Miami lost an 11-point second-half lead in an 86-85 loss to California on Saturday. The loss ended a two-game Miami winning streak and was the second in the last three games for the Hurricanes at home. Miami dropped to 17-5 overall and 6-3 in the ACC.
Malik Reneau led Miami with 24 points. Reneau helped Miami take a 74-63 lead with 8:49 left in the second half by scoring 20 points in the second half. California eventually regained the lead on a Dai Dai Ames three-point shot with 3:41 remaining.
Miami took its final lead when Reneau split a pair of free throws with 1:56 left. That was the final points Miami scored in the game. Miami was unable to convert its chances multiple times during the last two minutes.
Leading by one, Dhiaukuei Manyiel Dut blocked an Ernest Udeh dunk with 1:12 left. Miami was initially awarded possession with just over one second left on the shot clock. After California head coach Mark Madsen challenged the call, it was clear it went out of bounds off of Udeh and the Golden Bears gained possession.
Miami was unable to close out down the stretch
On the ensuing California possession, Manyiel Dut had a putback layup with 57 seconds left to put the Golden Bears up 86-85 and provide the final margin. Tre Donaldson missed a driving layup that rimmed in and out with 46 seconds remaining.
Miami got a stop on the next California possession, but the Golden Bears got the offensive rebound. Nolan Dorsey missed both free throws for California, giving Miami possession trailing by one point with nine seconds left.
Miami usually goes to Donaldson for big shots, as he is known throughout his collegiate career. True freshman Shelton Henderson faked a handoff to Donaldson and drove to the basket but could not convert and Miami lost.
Home losses to California and Florida State could hinder Miami as an NCAA Tournament bubble team. Miami now has an NCAA Net Ratings quadrant two loss to California and a quadrant three defeat to Florida State. Miami has one win and three losses against quad one opponents in 2025-26.