The #15/13 ranked Miami Hurricanes hosted the Wake Forest Demon Deacons today for some ACC basketball action at the Watsco Center.   The “Canes came in on a 5 game win streak, 14-0 at home, and looking to inch closer to the #1 spot in the ACC.  Wake Forest entered with some confidence of their own riding a 3 game win streak and looking to get into the double digit conference win mark.  

Miami jumped out to an early 7-0 lead before Wake Forest’s Damari Monsanto hit a three pointer to put the Deacons on the board and jump start his team.   Wake Forest gained some rhythm to work their way back in and take the lead 20-19 when Bobi Klintman made a three at the 12 minute mark.  For the following 5 minutes, both teams would take their turns in the lead with Wake Forest leading by as much as 4 after a dunk by Matthew Marsh.  

The ‘Canes remained composed and responded to even the score at 29.  The Deacons provided their own answer in the form of a 3 pointer by Daiven Williamson to retake the lead for Wake Forest 32-29.  That’s when the Isaiah Wong show heated up for Miami.  Wong would score the next 8 points of the game leading the ‘Canes to a 13-0 run and 42-32 point lead.  Wake Forest made a run before the end of the half to cut the lead to within one possession trailing 44-47 heading into the break.  

Miami came out of the break with a 11-0 run before Williamson ended the Deacon’s 2 minute scoring drought with a made 3 pointer.  Wake Forest would make short runs to cut into the “Canes and get within 3 points with 8 minutes to play 74-71.  The ‘Canes answered quickly tho.   A pair of Jordan Miller free throws, a couple of Deacon turnovers, and a three pointer by Wooga Poplar and Miami pushed the lead back to 8 points.  Miami would deny Wake Forest to get any closer for the remainder of the game in picking up the 96-87 win and extend their home win streak to 15.

A few big take aways from the game for Miami and none bigger than the play from Nigel Pack and Isaiah Wong.  The ‘Canes back court duo combined for 51 points, shooting 18/33 from the field & 6/9 from the arc.  Pack recorded his third consecutive 20+ point performance and Wong his second in the last three games.  Miami as a team shot 58.3% from the field  and 42.1% from the three.  Defensively, the ‘Canes forced 19 turnovers with 12 steals and only allowed 5 fast break points.

Miami improves to 22-5 overall 13-4 ACC and will make their final road trip of the regular season to Cassell Arena in Blacksburg, VA to face Virginia Tech on Tuesday, February 21 at 7 p.m.  Wake Forest fall to 17-10 9-7 ACC and will look to regroup on the road next to face #23 NC State on Wednesday, February 22  at 9:00 p.m.

STATS

ATTENDANCE: 7,792

Miami:  96 pts, 37/63 2-PT, 8/16 3-PT, 14/18 FT, 26 rebs(6 off, 20 def), 16 assists, 10 TO, 12 steals, 20 pts fast break, 34 pts off TO, 40 pts in paint

Wake Forest: 87 pts, 32/58 2-PT, 15/35 3-PT, 8/8 FT, 26 rebs(5 off, 21 def), 22 assists, 19 TO, 5 steals, 5 pts fast break, 12 pts off TO, 34 pts in paint

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Miami: I. Wong 27 pts 4 assists, N. Pack 24 pts 4/8 3-PT,  N. Omier 17 pts 8 rebs, J. Miller 14 pts 6 rebs,

Wake Forest: T. Appleby 15 pts 9 assists, C. Hildreth 14 pts 8 assists 3 steals, D. Monsanto 14 pts, M. Marsh 12 pts 5 rebs, A. Carr 12 pts, D. Williamson 12pts

Photo credit: Cameron Robertson/FAAZ Sports