No. 17 Miami didn’t just beat North Alabama on Nov. 13 at the Watsco Center - it turned the night into a long-range showcase and walked away with a 94-52 win that also delivered a program record.
The Hurricanes had been ice-cold from deep through their first three games, shooting a combined 14-for-63 from 3-point range. Against the Lions, that changed in a hurry. Miami knocked down 20 threes, breaking the previous school mark of 18 set in 2019 against Coppin State.
The first wave came early. Miami opened with a 14-6 burst, and freshman Caleb Gaskins helped spark it by hitting two 3-pointers in the first three minutes. Nick Dorn and Acaden Lewis each added a triple during that stretch, but the real avalanche arrived when Brent Bland entered the game.
Miami ripped off a 22-2 run, fueled heavily by Bland’s shooting. The Saint Peter’s transfer went 5-for-5 from deep in his bench stint, scoring 15 points before halftime. His fifth triple, launched from near the logo, sent the Watsco Center into a frenzy.
By the break, the Hurricanes had built a 54-26 lead and already set a new school record for first-half 3-pointers made with 13. Even more striking, 39 of Miami’s 54 points came from beyond the arc. The Hurricanes also piled up 17 assists to North Alabama’s five and controlled the glass 25-16 in the opening 20 minutes.
Bland wasn’t the only one dealing. Shelton Henderson followed with 12 first-half points and eight rebounds, while Dorn also had 12 points and four made threes before halftime.
The shooting stayed hot after the break. Bland added three more 3-pointers and Dorn hit two more as Miami finished the second half 7-for-18 from deep. The defense did its part too, holding North Alabama to 26 second-half points and keeping the Lions from getting comfortable in the paint.
Bland finished with 26 points on 8-for-13 shooting from 3-point range and added five rebounds. Dorn scored 18 points with six made threes, Henderson posted 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Dante Allen dished out 12 assists. Ten different Hurricanes scored.
Miami ended the night 34-for-70 from the field, 20-for-47 from 3-point range, with 46 rebounds, 27 assists, 10 steals and four blocks. The Hurricanes improved to 3-1 and will try to stay unbeaten at the Watsco Center when they host Rider on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
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The current depth chart already reflects that direction, with redshirt freshman Luke Nickel and freshman Dereon Coleman in the mix behind the starter. Add in five-star recruit Israel Abrams expected to arrive in the upcoming signing period, and the Hurricanes suddenly have a path that looks less dependent on the transfer market, especially with the elite veteran options there not looking as appealing as they once did. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Win Exposed A Problem Hurricanes Fans Can't Ignore
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Even with the result in hand, the game exposed an issue Hurricanes fans have seen too often: the defense had trouble creating pressure and never really solved Duke's Nate Sheppard, who piled up 240 yards of total offense. Miami also hurt itself with 10 penalties, the kind of sloppiness that can be brushed aside in November if the wins keep coming, but becomes a much bigger concern once the competition tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Fletcher Jr. Just Changed A Miami Record Book Forever
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Fletchers night carried even more weight because the touchdown also pushed him to 39 career scores overall, making him Miamis career leader in total touchdowns. With Miami holding a 13-10 lead over Duke at halftime, the Hurricanes had plenty of game left to manage, but Fletchers place in school history was already secure and the rest of the night only added to the significance of what he had just done. [Read more 🡒]