A strong second-half defensive performance propelled the University of Miami men’s basketball past No. 11 North Carolina, 75-66, Tuesday inside the Watsco Center.
Miami (19-5, 8-3 ACC) held the Tar Heels to just 26.5% shooting in the final 20 minutes and 1-of-14 from the beyond the arc to secure the program’s first win over a ranked team since Jan. 3, 2024.
The Hurricanes stormed out to a 10-point lead, 22-12, as Malik Reneau scored 10 of Miami’s first 22 points. North Carolina (19-5, 7-4 ACC) responded with an 11-2 run to trim the lead down to one before the Hurricanes answered and took a three-point lead into the half 43-40.
The two teams battled in the second half as the Canes pushed their lead to five, 51-46, with just under 15 minutes remaining. The Tar Heels cut the lead to one before the Hurricanes held their biggest lead of the half, 61-55, following a thunderous Shelton Henderson dunk.
With Miami leading 63-60, Ernest Udeh Jr. pushed the lead back to six as he made a free throw and collected his miss for a layup. Down the stretch, the Hurricanes scored their six points from the free-throw line to secure the win.
Reneau finished with his seventh double-double of the season with a game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds as Udeh registerd 15 points and 10 boards. Tre Donaldson added 14 points, six rebounds and five assists as Henderson finished with 12 points, five rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Miami dominated the paint, 46-28, and outrebounded the Tar Heels, 41-35.
The Hurricanes return to action Saturday as they travel to NC State at 4 p.m. The game will air on ESPN2 and can be heard locally on WQAM.
Miami (19-5, 8-3 ACC) held the Tar Heels to just 26.5% shooting in the final 20 minutes and 1-of-14 from the beyond the arc to secure the program’s first win over a ranked team since Jan. 3, 2024.
The Hurricanes stormed out to a 10-point lead, 22-12, as Malik Reneau scored 10 of Miami’s first 22 points. North Carolina (19-5, 7-4 ACC) responded with an 11-2 run to trim the lead down to one before the Hurricanes answered and took a three-point lead into the half 43-40.
The two teams battled in the second half as the Canes pushed their lead to five, 51-46, with just under 15 minutes remaining. The Tar Heels cut the lead to one before the Hurricanes held their biggest lead of the half, 61-55, following a thunderous Shelton Henderson dunk.
With Miami leading 63-60, Ernest Udeh Jr. pushed the lead back to six as he made a free throw and collected his miss for a layup. Down the stretch, the Hurricanes scored their six points from the free-throw line to secure the win.
Reneau finished with his seventh double-double of the season with a game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds as Udeh registerd 15 points and 10 boards. Tre Donaldson added 14 points, six rebounds and five assists as Henderson finished with 12 points, five rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Miami dominated the paint, 46-28, and outrebounded the Tar Heels, 41-35.
The Hurricanes return to action Saturday as they travel to NC State at 4 p.m. The game will air on ESPN2 and can be heard locally on WQAM.
