UM Downs Barry In Exhibition Opener
Nov. 4, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (hurricanesports.com) – Miami’s three guard lineup of junior Robert Hite (Cincinnati, Ohio), sophomore Guillermo Diaz (San Juan, P.R.) and sophomore Anthony Harris (Chicago, Ill.) combined to score 50 points as the University of Miami knocked off Barry University, 73-55, giving first-year head coach Frank Haith a win in his debut on the Hurricanes sideline.
“Overall I was very pleased with our effort tonight especially defensively,” said Haith after the game. “In the first half we were not getting much offensively, but I thought we did a much better job getting out in transition in the second half.”
Hite, Miami’s top returning scorer, had a game-high 20 points. Diaz added 19 while Harris, making his first start at point guard, had 11 points, all in the first-half, to go with four assists and only one turnover.
“I though Anthony (Harris) played very well,” added Haith. “He only had one turnover tonight and that is what we are looking for out of our point guard.”
Senior forward Nick Ellingsworth-Perez led Barry with 18 points while junior guard Joe Veloso added 10 for the Buccaneers.
Miami opened the game missing eight of its first nine shots as Barry jumped out to an early 10-5 lead. But the Hurricanes scored on five of their final seven possessions of the half to head into the locker room with a 31-27 lead.
Despite the rough start, Miami shot 40 percent (12-30) from the field in the first half including 50 percent (7-14) from three-point range. Barry was 10-30 (.333) from the field in the first half including 5-18 (.278) from behind the arc.
“We came out shaky in the first half but we stepped it up in the second,” said Hite. “It was the first game of the year and we were just trying to get into a rhythm and play together as a team.”
The Hurricanes took control early in the second half as Hite and Diaz each scored five points during a 12-0 run as Miami opened a 43-29 lead with 16:42 to play. Barry would get no closer than eight points the rest of the way.
Miami was able to get out in transition in the second half and connected on 15-29 (.517) while holding the Buccaneers to just 10-33 (.303) shooting.
The Hurricanes return to action on Friday, November 12 against Inter-American Puerto Rico at 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
