Hurricanes Edge UAB, 81-79
Nov 19, 2001
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ST. THOMAS,VI (hurricanesports.com) – Senior John Salmons scored 15 of his 20 points in the final 12 minutes of the second-half to lead the University of Miami (2-0)to a thrilling 81-79 victory over the University of Alabama-Birmingham (1-1) at the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
With the victory the Hurricanes advance to Tuesday’s championship game against Clemson (2-0) at 7:45 p.m. (ET). The tournament final appearance is Miami’s first since the 1988-89 season when the Hurricanes knocked off Penn and Wichita State en route to the Eastern Airlines Palm Beach Classic.
Miami jumped out to a 40-33 halftime lead behind 16 points from sophomore forward Darius Rice (Jackson, MS) and 11 points from sophomore guard Marcus Barnes (Miami American).
Ricefinished with 23 points, his second consecutive 20-point game to open the season, and a team-high seven rebounds. Barnes ended with 19 connecting on five of 12 three-point attempts.
Miami extended its lead to 13 (56-43) following two free throws from Barnes at the12:35 mark. UAB then went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead to only three with 10:09 to play. The Hurricanes looked to have the game in hand following a three-pointer from Rice, assisted by Salmons, to make the score 75-68 with 4:51 left. UAB would not give up and pulled to with in one (80-79) with 49 seconds on the clock.
After afree throw from Salmons made the score 81-79 with 10 seconds left, the UM defense smothered the Blazers who were unable to get a shot off before the buzzer.
