The Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team faced a big test, facing an SEC opponent on the road, and did an amazing job in grabbing the victory.
Oxford, MS - The Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball team sought to grow from their recent experience competing at the ESPN Events Invitational, finishing third in the Magic bracket. The team faced the ninth-ranked BYU Cougars but suffered a second-half collapse, then defeated the Georgetown Hoyas and controlled the game from beginning to end.
Despite playing two games in neutral environments, both in the state of Florida, it felt more like road games. However, the Hurricanes would actually play in an opponent’s home court, against the Ole Miss Rebels for the ACC/SEC challenge matchup. They’ve also gone through drastic changes during the offseason, with only one returning player from last year, sophomore guard Eduardo Klafke.
This would be the second time the Hurricanes faced an SEC opponent, but we're looking to finish on the winning side this time. They would be without freshman guard Dante Allen due to an upper-body injury. The four-star is expected to miss multiple weeks.
Also, sophomore forward Marcus Allen was sidelined due to a lower-body injury, but his status is game-by-game.
Meanwhile, the Rebels had a fully healthy roster.
The starting lineups:
Hurricanes: Tre Donaldson-Tru Washington-Shelton Henderson-Malik Reneau-Ernest Udeh Jr.
Ole Miss: Ilias Kamardine-AJ Storr-Patton Pinkins-Malik Dia-James Scott
It was time for tipoff and freshman forward Shelton Henderson was the first to punch the scoreboard for the Hurricanes and the game. However, the Rebels responded with a corner three-pointer by Patton Pickens off a turnover from sophomore guard Tru Washington.
The game started with tons of back and forth, multiple lead changes, until the Hurricanes sparked a 10-2 run to gain more momentum. Then, senior guard Tre Donaldson scored seven straight points, including a couple of three-pointers. However, shortly after, he would walk off the court hobbling after hitting his knee, but later returned to the game.
For every Rebels punch, the Hurricanes had a response, and entered halftime with a 42-26 lead. As a team, the visitors made eight out of 14 attempts, 57.1 percent. They were also living up to Jai Lucas's defensive philosophy, forcing seven turnovers and holding the locals to eight made field goals out of 31 attempts, 25.8 percent.
As the second half began, the Hurricanes wasted no time with Henderson scoring on a fastbreak layup, plus a free throw made. However, the moment of excitement ended as Malik Reneau twisted his left ankle coming down from a made layup a few possessions later.
The Rebels then took advantage with a couple of three-pointers and sparked a 12-2 run. After a few minutes off the court, Reneau returned and was moving smoothly. The Hurricanes continued to control the game, but would battle resilience from the locals. The Rebels gathered a few stops, but still couldn't cut the lead to single digits.
That was until sophomore guard Travis Perry made a three-pointer, his third of the game, which was immediately responded to by a Washington layup.
The Hurricanes held off for the rest of the game with a corner three-pointer dagger by Timotej Malovec and took the victory from Oxford, Mississippi, with a final score of 75-66.
Henderson finished with 18 points, which is a new season-high, nine rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in 31 minutes. Washington followed with 17 points, along with four three-pointers made, three steals, and an assist.
The team was efficient on all three levels: the floor, behind the arc, and the free-throw line. If it sustains, it makes them extremely dangerous.
The Hurricanes improve their record to 7-2 on the season, adding an impressive victory against an SEC opponent to the team's resume. They will prepare for a five-game homestand coming up next.
More Miami Hurricanes News:
- "Hurricanes Survive Hoyas' Second-Half Surge In ESPN Tournament"
- "Hurricanes' Self-Inflicted Errors Result In Cougars' Victory"
- "Hurricanes' Mark Fletcher Jr. Reveals Motivation Behind Season Success"
- "Hurricanes Failed Opportunity Against Reigning Champion Gators"