Shorthanded but Unbowed: Hurricanes Fall Just Short in One-Point Thriller Against Cal
Miami, FL - Coming off a statement win over Stanford, the Miami Hurricanes had momentum and home-court energy on their side. But in a tightly contested battle that swung like a pendulum all night long, they came up just one point short, falling 86-85 to the California Golden Bears in a game that packed the drama of March into early February.
This one had everything: lead changes, clutch plays, foul trouble, and a finish that left fans holding their breath until the final buzzer. And it all happened with both teams missing key pieces.
Miami was already navigating a tough stretch without sophomore forward Marcus Allen, who’s out for the season as he battles non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Freshman forward Treyvon Maddox was also unavailable, and perhaps most notably, the Canes were without junior guard Tru Washington.
Washington has been a steady contributor all season, averaging just under 12 points per game with solid efficiency and defensive activity. His absence was felt on both ends of the floor.
Cal, meanwhile, came in even more depleted. The Golden Bears were down five players, including promising freshman guard Jovani Ruff and senior forward Lee Dort. That meant both benches had to stretch, and rotations got creative.
A Game of Runs and Responses
From the opening tip, this one was a tug-of-war. The first half alone saw five ties and seven lead changes.
Cal’s offense caught fire midway through the first, ripping off a 19-5 run that threatened to break things open. But Miami didn’t flinch.
Freshman center Salih Altuntas came up with a key block that seemed to jolt the Hurricanes back to life. From there, they finished the half on a 9-3 run, capped by a big-time three from freshman guard Dante Allen. That shot sent the crowd into halftime buzzing and closed the gap heading into the second.
Cal leaned heavily on senior forward John Camden, who poured in 19 points before the break, including a pair of threes that gave the Bears early rhythm from deep. They hit six triples in the first 20 minutes, using spacing and quick ball movement to carve up Miami’s alternating zone and man defenses.
On the Hurricanes’ side, it was freshman forward Shelton Henderson who kept the offense afloat early. He found his spots in the mid-range and around the paint, scoring 12 in the first half and showing poise beyond his years.
Reneau Rises in the Second Half
The second half belonged to Malik Reneau. The senior forward had been quiet early, limited to four points due to foul trouble.
But once he got going, he was nearly unstoppable. Reneau poured in 20 points in the second half, using his strength and footwork to dominate the paint and get to the line.
Miami’s offense fed off that energy, stringing together a 12-3 run that flipped the momentum. The Hurricanes also got into the bonus with 13 minutes still to play, setting up what looked like a potential advantage down the stretch.
Foul trouble, though, wasn’t just a Miami issue. Cal lost both Milos Ilic and Mantas Kocanas to disqualifications, forcing them to finish the game with redshirt sophomore Dhiaukuei Manyiel Dut anchoring the middle. Dut hadn’t scored all night - but his lone bucket, a late layup, turned out to be the game-winner.
Missed Opportunities at the Line and the Rim
Despite being in the bonus for much of the second half, Miami couldn’t capitalize at the free-throw line. The missed chances added up, and in a game decided by a single point, every one of them mattered.
Still, the Hurricanes had their chances. Down one in the final seconds, they got not one, but two good looks at the rim.
Both shots bounced off, and with that, the upset was sealed. Cal, shorthanded and on the road, walked away with a gutsy 86-85 win.
Looking Ahead
The loss drops Miami to 17-5 overall and 6-3 in ACC play. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially given the effort and resilience shown by a team missing key rotation players. Five Hurricanes finished in double figures, and the fight was there until the very end.
Next up: a trip north to face Boston College on Saturday, February 7. With the ACC standings still tight and plenty of basketball left, there’s no time to dwell. But this one will sting - not just because of the final score, but because of how close Miami came to pulling it out.