The #16 ranked Miami Hurricanes hosted the #25 Pittsburgh Panthers at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, FL for Senior Night and the final game of their regular season.  The “Canes came in with a 23-6 overall record and Pitt with a 21-9 overall record.  Both teams came in with identical 14-5 ACC records and looking for a win to earn a share of the ACC regular season championship with Virginia.

The first half was a back and forth battle with Pitt having an early edge until Miami went on a 13-2 run propelling them to a narrow 42-38 half-time lead.  The Panthers first half scoring was led with a balanced team scoring from Jamaru Burton 8 pts, Blake Hinson 7 pts 2/4 3-PT, Jo Diaz Graham 6 pts, 2/2 3-PT and Nelly Cummings 5 pts.  Miami’s Norchad Omier led all scorers in the first half with 11 pts & 7 rebounds followed by teammates  Wooga Poplar 9 pts 3/3 3-PT, Jordan Miller 6 pts & 6 rebounds.  The ‘Canes dominated the first half boards 22-9.

The second half saw alot of the same close play as the first half.  Miami extended the lead to as much as 9 points on a few different occasions only to have the Panthers claw their way back in striking range.  None more evident than after Miami’s Jordan Miller finished off a fast break with a dunk to extend the lead to 78-71 with just 35 seconds left to play.  Pitt’s Hinson responded with a layup to cut the lead to 78-73 with 27 seconds left..  Pitt forced a Miami turnover on the ensuing in bound play giving the ball back to Pitt with 22 seconds.  Hinson hit a 3 pointer with just 13 seconds cutting the Miami lead to 78-76.  Pitt then fouled Miami’s Omier to stop the clock with 9 seconds sending him to the free throw line.  Omier missed the first of a one and one followed with Pitt’s Federicko grabbing the rebound and immediately outlet passing to get Hinson a last chance shot off.  Hinson launched a long three that rimmed off narrowly missing for the buzzer beater sending Miami fans in a frenzied celebration and rushing the court.  “Canes win 78-76

“Wooga Poplar was absolutely great today on both ends of the court”

Head Coach Jim Larranaga, Miami Hurricanes

In the win, Miami featured featured 3 different players in double digit scoring led by Wooga Poplar 18 pts 6/8 3-PT, Jordan Miller 17 pts 8 rebs, and Norchad Omier 15 points & 13 rebounds.  Miami out rebounded Pitt 42-20 leading to 25 second chance points.

“In a 2 point game, every one of those rebounds and baskets is huge.”

Head Coach Jim Larranaga, Miami Hurricanes

Miami closed out their regular season 24-6 overall 15-5 ACC and a share of the ACC Championship with Virgina.  Pitt falls to 21-10 overall 14-6 ACC.

STATS

ATTENDANCE: 7,972

Miami:  78 pts, 25/55 2-PT, 8/17 3-PT, 20/23 FT, 42 rebs(14 off, 28 def), 14 assists, 16 TO, 0 steals, 5 pts fast break, 6 pts off TO, 30 pts in paint

Pitt: 76 pts, 27/58 2-PT, 11/26 3-PT, 11/15 FT, 20 rebs(3 off, 17 def), 14 assists, 7 TO, 8 steals, 0 pts fast break, 23 pts off TO, 28 pts in paint

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Miami: W. Poplar 18 pts 6/8 3-PT, J. Miller 17 pts 8 rebs, 15 pts 13 rebs 2 blks, N. Pack 9 pts, I. Wong 9 pts 6 rebs

Pitt: B. Hinson 24 pts, N. Sibande 16pts 5 rebs, J. Burton 13 pts,, N. Cummings 10 pts 6 assist

Photo credit: Cameron Robertson/FAAZSports