No. 1 Florida didn’t exactly run away from No. 14 Miami on Monday night, but the Gators still did enough to open their season with a 77-67 win at Benchmark International Arena in the Orion180 Tip-Off Classic.
Florida built a 46-36 halftime lead and stayed in front after the early going, leaning on a balanced effort that included 21 points off turnovers, 11 made three-pointers and 17 assists. The Gators also got a big night from Thomas Haugh, who posted 19 points and 10 rebounds with four assists in 35 minutes while knocking down 4 of 8 shots from deep.
Rueben Chinyelu was just as important in the paint, finishing with 14 rebounds, including three on the offensive end, along with five points and three blocks in 28 minutes. Alex Condon added nine points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Boogie Fland chipped in nine points, four assists and four steals.
Miami had a bright spot in its debutant transfer Acaden Lewis, who led all scorers with 24 points on 8-of-18 shooting and added four rebounds and an assist. Somto Cyril gave the Hurricanes an efficient interior presence with 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting and seven rebounds in 27 minutes.
But the rest of Miami’s offense never quite found its rhythm. Shelton Henderson finished with seven points and eight rebounds but went 2-of-13 from the field, while Caleb Gaskins had four points and three rebounds on 1-of-4 shooting. Malik Reneau also had a quiet night, scoring five points on 1-of-6 shooting with four rebounds in 22 minutes.
The numbers told the story. Florida shot 44% from the field, 42% from three and finished with 17 assists.
Miami shot 33% overall and 25% from deep, with only six assists as a team. The Hurricanes also managed just seven points off turnovers, while Florida piled up 21.
Even so, Miami showed enough against the top-ranked team to leave with something to build on. Lucas’ team will have to clean up plenty before facing Wagner on Nov. 6, but the Hurricanes at least proved they could stay in the fight against No. 1.
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Miami Gets A Big Opening In Notre Dames Secondary
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Sophomore Jayden Sanders is expected to step into the lineup in McKinneys place, which gives Miami a notable opening to test a defense that has leaned on continuity at corner. The timing matters, too, with McKinneys return now pushed toward the College Football Playoffs, leaving Notre Dame to sort out a key spot just as the stakes rise. [Read more 🡒]
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Malachi Toney Is Chasing Even More Miami History This Season
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Against North Carolina, Toney kept producing even while drawing heavy double teams, finishing with seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. His season total has pushed him into record territory for Miami, and with more games still ahead, the only question now is how much more he can add to a season that already belongs alongside some of the biggest names in Hurricanes history. [Read more 🡒]