Miami basketball earns dominant win over Stonehill

The Miami basketball team raced to a 42-12 lead and dominated throughout in a 97-59 win over Stonehill on Thursday night at the Watsco Center. Miami had the edge in every category except bench points and turnovers in the blowout win over Stonehill who are in their second season playing Division I.

All five Miami starters finished in double figures, led by Wooga Poplar with 24 points. Norchad Omier scored 20 points for the second straight game and had 17 rebounds, Matthew Cleveland scored 15 and Kyshawn George and Bensley Joseph each had 12. George started for Nijel Pack, who was out with a lower-body injury.

The Miami bench continues a lack of production. Miami was outscored 18-14 in bench points by Stonehill. Stonehill was led by Tony Felder with 22 and Se'yp Triplett had 16 off the bench for the Skyhawks. A.J. Casey led Miami off the bench with eight points and five rebounds. Miami needs more production from its bench.

The Hurricanes took care of business in earning the dominant win over Skyhawks as expected. Miami scored 13 seconds into the game, stretched the lead to 8-0 and never trailed. Stonehill was missing four players who were out with injuries. Pack will have nine days to nurse his injury and shake off the rust before Miami resumes ACC play.

Miami had its best rebounding game this season with a 52-27 advantage. The Hurricanes were able to dictate tempo throughout. Both teams had 13 turnovers and Miami still had an 18-9 advantage in points off miscues. Everyone was efficient for Miami except Matthew Cleveland who shot 6-17 but did add nine rebounds.

Miami is off for nine days before hosting North Florida on December 29, The game versus the Ospreys is the final non-conference game for Miami this season. Miami resumes ACC play on January 3 at the Watsco Center versus number 18 Clemson with an 8:00 PM tipoff. Miami is 0-2 versus ranked teams this season.