Anemic second half offense dooms Miami basketball in loss to Boston College

The Miami basketball team shot 33.8 percent in the second half and made 6-27 three-point shots, losing 67-57 to Boston College. Miami lost its eighth straight game. That is the longest Miami losing streak in 20 years. Miami is locked into the 14th seed in the ACC Tournament.

Miami began the season with three starters returning from the 2024 Final Four run. Nijel Pack returned in the first half after missing the previous four games and Wooga Poplar was back after being out in the last two games. Pack reinjured his knee in the first half and did not return.

Pack was 0-5 from the floor, missed all three of his three-point shots and had three assists on Wednesday night. Miami finished the game making one of its last 18 three-point attempts. The Hurricanes shot 29.0 percent in the second half and made one of its 10 three-point attempts.

Miami has depended on the three-point shot too often this season. Matthew Cleveland led Miami with 13 points. Bensley Joseph and Norchad Omier each scored 10. Quinten Post led Boston College with 19 points. Claudell Harris scored 13 and Mason Madsen had 12 for the Eagles.

Miami was in control for most of the first half. The Hurricanes led the Eagles 30-20 with 4:58 remaining in the first half on a Poplar jumper. Boston College closed the first half on an 8-2 run. That included a three-point shot by Post at the buzzer. Boston College rode that momentum and outscored Miami 39-25 in the second half.

Boston College made 10 of its 29 three-point shots, including seven of 17 in the second half. Kyshawn George and Michael Nwoko were the only Hurricanes who shot at least 50 percent. They each scored only seven points. Miami plays its final regular season game at Florida State on Saturday.