The Miami Hurricanes showed once again why they’re one of the most resilient teams in the ACC this season. Down by as many as nine in the second half, Miami dug deep and stormed back to take down Stanford, 79-70, on their home floor Wednesday night at the Watsco Center. It was a win that wasn’t just about talent - it was about toughness, timely execution, and a bench that came ready to make an impact.
The Hurricanes (17-4, 6-2 ACC) came out firing, jumping to an early 11-2 lead behind a red-hot Tre Donaldson, who poured in seven of those first 11 points. Donaldson continued to push the pace, and when he knocked down a bucket to make it 22-12 midway through the first half, Stanford had seen enough and called for a timeout.
That break turned the momentum. The Cardinal (14-7, 3-5 ACC) came out of the huddle with energy, rattling off a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to three and eventually took their first lead during an 11-2 surge.
By halftime, Stanford had flipped the script and held a 40-35 advantage.
The second half started much the same, with Stanford keeping Miami at arm’s length and building the lead back up to nine. But the Hurricanes didn’t blink.
Timo Malovec sparked the comeback with a pair of momentum-shifting threes, slicing the Cardinal lead to four. Then Donaldson - who was clutch all night - buried a step-back triple with 9:33 to go, tying the game at 51 and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
From there, it was all about execution. Tru Washington came up with a big-time steal that led to a fastbreak layup by Dante Allen, giving Miami a 58-56 edge with just under six minutes left.
The Hurricanes never trailed again. Shelton Henderson knocked down a free throw, Malik Reneau added a layup, and suddenly the Canes were up five.
Stanford tried to regroup with another timeout, but Miami had found its rhythm.
With 1:20 left, the Hurricanes had stretched their lead to 10, effectively sealing the deal. Stanford managed to hit a late three, but Allen iced the game at the line with two free throws in the final seconds.
Reneau led the way for Miami with 20 points, showing off his versatility and ability to finish through contact. Donaldson added 18 and was the early catalyst that kept Miami afloat when Stanford made its first push.
Henderson chipped in 12 points and grabbed seven boards - five of them on the offensive glass - creating second-chance opportunities that proved crucial. Off the bench, Washington gave the Canes a spark with 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Ernest Udeh Jr. owned the glass with a game-high nine rebounds and three blocks.
Miami shot an efficient 47.4% from the floor while locking in defensively when it mattered most. The Hurricanes held Stanford to 43.5% shooting overall, and just 35.5% in the second half - a testament to their ability to clamp down when the game tightened. They dominated the paint, outscoring the Cardinal 38-24 inside, and made a statement in transition, putting up 13 fastbreak points while allowing zero.
It wasn’t a perfect night, but it was the kind of gritty, come-from-behind win that builds confidence and character. For a team with ACC title aspirations, this was the type of performance that shows they’ve got more than just talent - they’ve got fight.