CORAL GABLES — The Hurricanes rolled to a convincing victory in their penultimate regular-season home game, blowing out Boston College 76-54 at the Watsco Center on Saturday.
Miami (23-6, 12-4 ACC) got off to a slow offensive start, making just one of their first six shots and falling behind 8-2 in the game’s first 3:41. But a Shelton Henderson layup with 12:33 left in the first half put Miami in the lead for the first time. The Hurricanes never trailed again.
Fortunately for Miami, its defense performed well and kept the Eagles from making anything happen on the offensive end of the floor. The Hurricanes kept Boston College from scoring for 6:35 in the first half, allowing Miami to go on a 10-0 run.
While the Hurricanes’ shooting improved late in the first half, the Eagles’ shooting did not. At the end of the half, UM led BC 36-19, outshooting Boston College 45.2 percent to 29.6 percent.
Miami’s defense kept the Eagles from getting any momentum throughout the game. The Hurricanes notched 14 steals and three blocks in the win while holding Boston College to just a 40 percent shooting percentage.
UM followed what coach Jai Lucas has laid out as their game plan, getting the majority of their points (40) in the paint. The Hurricanes prevented the Eagles from doing the same, allowing just 26 points in the paint.
Guard Tre Donaldson led the Hurricanes with 15 points. Tru Washington added 14 points, Noam Dovrat had 12 points and center Ernest Udeh Jr. notched his sixth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds.