FINAL: That was weird, Miami overcomes slow 2nd half start, downs FIU 86-80
Wasn’t that weird huh? In the opening 10 minutes of Monday night game at the Watsco Center, Miami went up 17 points against FIU, but nearly the last seven minutes of the game, FIU snapped the streak and even went on their own scoring streak, and they even took the lead starting the 2nd half. But as these early-schedule matchups typically go, the better, more talented squad came out on top in the end. That was the case once again.
No. 12 Miami (3-0) was able to fight back from a run that the Panthers accomplished in the first half, coming away with an 86-80 win over the Panthers. Four of the Hurricanes starters finished with at least 10 points, led by junior guard Matthew Cleveland and his 23 points on three made three-pointers. Fellow veteran Wooga Poplar added 18 points and one rebounds while Nijel Pack chipped in 17 points.
As a team, Miami shot 58.5 percent from the field, 61.9 percent (13-21) from beyond the arc, and 78.6 percent (11-14) from the free-throw line. The Hurricanes turned the ball over fourteen times while forcing the Panthers only to 3 miscues. Miami did not win the rebounding battle (34-32) while Miami did hold FIU to under 45 percent overall shooting.
A win’s a win, but the Hurricanes have a lot to clean up as it heads to the Bahamas for the Baha Mar Classic. Offensive rebounding and turnovers appear to be Miami’s two biggest weaknesses so far.
GO CANES
Trinton is the owner of CanesToday. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, he is a freshman in high school and wants to graduate from the University of Miami
