Feb. 22, 2000
By JOHN RABY
Associated Press
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Miami didn’t let down in its intensity coming off abig win at Connecticut.
Johnny Hemsley tied a season-high with 24 points and the Hurricanes heldWest Virginia to a season-low output in a 68-50 victory Tuesday night.
Miami (17-9, 10-3 Big East) has won eight of its last 10 and 15 of its last17 Big East road games.
West Virginia (13-11, 5-8) lost its third straight game, including itsfourth straight to Miami.
Hemsley’s 3-pointer during a 9-0 run to start the second half gave theHurricanes a 46-27 lead with 17:51 remaining.
West Virginia responded with an 8-0 run. But just seconds after Marcus Goreehit a 3-pointer, Hemsley killed the Mountaineers’ momentum with his own3-pointer and two free throws 20 seconds apart for a 51-35 lead with 15:12left.
The game then turned sloppy as Miami scored just two baskets over the next11 minutes while West Virginia missed seven straight free throws and couldn’tconvert numerous steals into points.
John Salmons‘ 3-pointer put Miami’s lead in double-digits for good, 58-47,with 3 minutes left.
Mario Bland added 12 points and Salmons had 10 for Miami.
Tim Lyles scored 13 and Goree had 11 for West Virginia.
Miami held a 41-25 rebounding advantage.