Tre Donaldson explodes for a career-high 32 points, including the game-winner, to snatch a thrilling one-point victory for the Miami Hurricanes.
The Miami Hurricanes men's basketball squad grabbed a hard-earned 67-66 victory against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Tuesday night. Despite offensive struggles and the absence of senior forward Malik Reneau for most of the game due to a headache, senior guard Tre Donaldson stepped up. He scored a new career-high of 32 points on 54.2 shooting, with three three-pointers, plus two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 35 minutes.
Without his outstanding performance, the Hurricanes would've been in a much tougher situation. Donaldson scored the final 15 points for the team.
"A little banged up, I just wanted to win," he said. "That's the biggest thing. I just want to win. I want it for my team, for my coaches [too]. Doing it for these guys, that's the biggest thing. Just the will, the want to win, I feel like that's the biggest thing that took over me. Whatever it took, if it was me making a shot or making a play for my teammates, the ball just fell for me tonight."
Donaldson isn't new to big-game environments. Before transferring, he was with the Michigan Wolverines last season, who won the Big 10 Tournament Championship. The 22-year-old was one of the crucial pieces for coach Jai Lucas in turning the program around, alongside Reneau and senior center Ernest Udeh Jr.
The Hurricanes improve to a 21-5 record, 10-3 in ACC play. It's the biggest improvement in the nation coming off a 7-24 season.
Donaldson improved as a point guard, averaging a career-high of 5.9 assists, but throughout the season, coach Lucas and the team have relied on him to score. He's delivered a winning impact, which the program was desperately looking for.
"He's done it time and time again," coach Lucas said. "It wasn't shocking. It was needed and he [Donaldson] found a way to will us. That's what senior guards who have been in big moments [do] and why you bet on guys' pedigree of who've won state championships, conference championships, and played in big games."
"For moments like this."
The Hurricanes will have a few days off before going on the road to face the 14th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday. Coach Lucas and the team are currently riding a four-game winning streak, including against a what-was the 11th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. They will have an opportunity to add another Quad 1 victory to the NCAA Tournament resume, but having healthy bodies will be critical.
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