NIT: IMPRESSIVE OPENING ROUND WIN
Submitted by Brandon Odoi on Fri, 03/20/2009 - 08:47
Miami came into the post season and proved they belonged with an impressive win over Providence on Wednesday night in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament. Jack McClinton paced the Hurricanes with 25 points and Lance Hurdle added 12 points in the 78-66 thumping of Providence on their home court.
McClinton was on fire from behind the arch scoring seven three-point baskets tying a career high of made threes. Fellow Hurricane Dwayne Collins appeared to be back to his old ways grabbing 12 rebounds. Collins had been injured toward the latter half of Atlantic Coast Conference play and struggled during the close of the season. His rebounding effort on Wednesday night, however, gave the Hurricanes a tremendous edge and proved that he’s feeling back to normal. At the beginning of the season, Collins was a nightly double-double threat. He finished Wednesday’s game with eight points, a bucket shy of that mark.
Providence, making their 18th NIT appearance (fourth most all time) trailed the Hurricanes from the get go. They were down 33-28 at the half and were outscored by seven points in the second period. Weyinmi Efejuku led the Friars in scoring with 16 points. They end the season with a 19-14 mark.
Next up for the Hurricanes (19-12) in the second round of the NIT is in-state rival and #1 seed, Florida. The game will be played Friday at 7 p.m. in Gainesville.
