After nearly getting upset by Drake in the first round, the Miami Hurricanes came out with a chip on their shoulder. In their first game, ACC Player of the Year Isaiah Wong and second team All-ACC guard Jordan Miller struggled, so they showed out big against the Hoosiers.
Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller had 46 combined points, as they led the Canes past the Indiana Hoosiers 85-69 in Albany, NY Sunday night. The Canes are continuing their dance through the Sweet 16 for the second straight year.
Game Flow:
The Hurricanes started out blazing hot, as Wooga Poplar and Nijel Pack led an opening 8-0 run within the first two minutes. Early on in the first half, Miami extended that lead to 13, led by great defense, rebounding, and capitalizing on their chances. However, Indiana crept right back as they went on a 13-0 run late in the first half. That momentum carried into the second half as they took their first lead with 18:38 left in change.
It was back-and-forth until Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller took over for the Canes. Miami went on a 16-4 run midway through the second half that put Indiana’s hopes of their first Sweet 16 since the year 2016 on life support. On that run, Wong hit two three pointers (and also went 4-for-6 from the line). However, despite struggles of closing out games, Isaiah Wong and Bensley Joesph made back-to-back three-pointers to give Miami a 15 point lead and put Indiana out of reach, despite a couple of late threes from Pittsburgh native Jalen Hood-Schfino.
Miami:
Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller led the way, scoring 27 (leading all scorers) and 19 respectively. Nijel Pack added 12 and Norchad Omier (BABY FOOD) recorded a WHOPPING 17 rebounds. Also, Bensley Joesph led the team with five assists. Miami also out-rebounded Indiana 48-31.
With the losses to Pittsburgh and Duke in the Round of 32, Miami is the only ACC team remaining for the second weekend, where they will play top-seeded Houston in Kansas City on Friday at 7:10 PM on CBS.
Indiana:
Trayce Jackson-Davis led the Hoosiers in scoring with 23 points, with all of them coming from inside the arc or at the free throw line, as he did not attempt a single three. Jalen Hood-Schfino had 19 points with nine of them coming from the three point line.