Malik Reneau posted 20 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, as Miami snapped a two-game skid with an 85-76 victory over Syracuse on Saturday afternoon.
Tre Donaldson and Shelton Henderson both finished with 16 points for the Hurricanes (16-4, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who opened the game on a 9-0 run and never trailed.
Tru Washington was Miami’s fourth double-digit scorer with 14 points.
Despite committing 16 turnovers, the Hurricanes, shot 33-of-54 from the field (61%). Miami also made 7-of-13 3-pointers and out-rebounded Syracuse 37-21.
Donnie Freeman scored 14 points, while Naithan George and Kiyan Anthony each finished with 13 for the Orange (12-8, 3-4), who lost their third straight overall and second consecutive at home. The Orange’s Nate Kingz finished with 11 points, and William Kyle III added 10.
After Freeman’s turnaround jumper got the Orange to 50-48 4:47 into the second half, the Hurricanes outscored Syracuse 19-8 in the next six minutes. Timotej Malovec hit two 3-pointers during spurt and Donaldson’s 3-pointer with 9:50 remaining capped the surge, increasing Miami’s lead to 69-56.
The Orange got no closer than 83-76, when Kingz hit a 3-pointer with 1:44 remaining. Ernest Udeh’s dunk with 1:33 left increased Miami’s advantage before missed 3-pointers by King and Tyler Betsey ended Syracuse’s final comeback bid.
Miami began the ACC schedule with four consecutive wins before losses at then No. 22 Clemson Jan. 17 and a home defeat against Florida State on Tuesday.
Syracuse lost its second straight at home following a 76-74 defeat against Virginia Tech on Wednesday. Like in the loss to the Hokies, a smattering of boos were heard at JMA Wireless Dome.
Washington’s lay-up three minutes into the game capped the Hurricanes’ early surge.
Syracuse cut into the early deficit and tied it on Anthony’s dunk with 4:06 remaining. But the Hurricanes countered with seven unanswered points to maintain the lead.
After Henderson’s tip-in with 40 seconds left increased the Hurricanes’ advantage to 41-32, the Orange scored the last four points of the half on Kyle’s lay-up and Kingz’s two free throws.
–Field Level Media
