CORAL GABLES — The Jai Lucas era of Hurricanes basketball is off to a good start.
Miami began the season with a 86-69 win over overmatched Jacksonville at the Watsco Center, earning the first career win for UM’s new coach.
Jacksonville took a brief lead early in the first half after the Dolphins sank a series of three-pointers. But Miami seized the lead again less than halfway through the first period and never looked back.
The Hurricanes took a six-point lead into halftime and extended it throughout the second half, closing out the second half strong.
Forward Malik Reneau led Miami with 20 points, and guard Tre Donaldson (11), forward Shelton Henderson (15) and guard Tru Washington (12) all finished in double figures. Center Ernest Udeh Jr., in his first game as a Hurricane, notched a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
This story will be updated.