Miami shows impressive depth in exhibition blowout

Miami used a 12-0 run midway through the first half after NCAA Division II St. Leo stayed with the Hurricanes through the first nine minutes in an XX-XX win in an exhibition game on Wednesday night. Five Miami players finished in double figures led by Nijel Pack with 18.

Five-star true freshman Jalil Bethea lived to his recruiting ranking with 10 points on 3-3 from the floor 4-4 from the free throw line, two rebounds, one assist, two fouls and a turnover in nine minutes before being ejected in the second half. Bethea was given a flagrant two foul after a tie-up on the floor with a St. Leo player.

Center Lynn Kidd had 18 points and nine rebounds, Paul Djobet had 16 points on 6-8 from the floor, 2-2 three-point attempts and 2-4 from the free throw line with three rebounds and one assist and guard Jalen Blackmon scored 11 as the other Miami players in double-figures.

Miami shot 52.2 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent on three-point attempts but made only 13 of 21 free throw attempts. St. Leo shot 39.6 percent from the floor and 30.0 percent on three-point attempts. Miami shared the ball exceptionally well with 16 assists on 20 made field goals.

Forward Brandon Johnson made only 2-6 from the floor to finish with eight points but led Miami with 12 rebounds playing 30 minutes. Johnson had the second most minutes played for Miami versus St. Leo to Pack who played 33 minutes. Eleven players received playing time for Miami versus St. Leo.

Shunta Wilson led St. Leo with 16 points and Owen Pawlikowski was the only Lion in double figures with 12. Miami will play its first regular season game on Monday versus Farleigh Dickinson at home. Miami hosts Binghampton and Coppin State before three games in the Charleston Classic later this month.