Malik Reneau scored a season-high 16 points, hitting 7 of 10 shots from the floor, as No. 17 Miami defeated North Florida 89-51 on Monday in Coral Gables, Fla.
Reneau, who averaged 18.9 points last season as a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, had managed just 8.5 points per contest over the first two games this season.
The Hurricanes (2-1), who have won back-to-back games since losing to top-ranked Florida, also got 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists from Shelton Henderson. Five-star freshman Caleb Gaskins contributed 12 points.
Also for the Hurricanes, starting center Somto Cyril posted 10 points, eight rebounds and a game-high four blocks, and backup center Robert Miller III had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
Dante Allen — considered Miami’s “sixth starter” by coach Jai Lucas — was poked in the eye in the second half. However, after a TV timeout, Allen remained in the game and finished with eight points, five rebounds and two steals.
Miami point guard Acaden Lewis, who put up 24 points against Florida, had an off night versus North Florida. He was held to two points on 1-for-8 shooting and committed three turnovers, though he dished a game-high eight assists.
North Florida (1-2), which fell to 0-9 all-time against Miami, was led by reserves Eddie Placer (12 points) and BJ Plummer (10 points).
Kent Jackson, a preseason All-Atlantic Sun first-team selection for the Ospreys, was held to seven points.
The Ospreys have had a tough couple of days. On Friday, they lost by 51 points to then-No. 22 UCLA in Los Angeles. After a long flight back home, their Monday result wasn’t much better.
Miami, which never trailed, got seven layups for its first 14 points. Nine-plus minutes in, the Hurricanes led 23-13, thanks to 55% shooting compared to 26.3% for North Florida.
By halftime, Miami led 44-25, having compiled a 30-8 edge on points in the paint and 10-0 advantage on fastbreak points.
Reneau led all first-half scorers with 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting. His only miss was on a 3-point attempt.
Plummer led North Florida with eight points before the break, making 3 of 4 shots, including 2 of 2 from deep. As a team, the Ospreys shot just 25.7%.
With 10 minutes left in the second half, Miami led 68-40, and the Hurricanes cruised from there.
Despite the easy win, the Hurricanes sank just 5 of 27 3-point tries (18.5%), though they outshot the Ospreys 45.8% to 31.3% from the floor overall.
–Field Level Media
