Hurricanes Storm into Season with 83-53 Romp

Nov. 14, 2009

Box Score  |  Postgame Notes  |  Postgame Quotes

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Adrian Thomas scored a career-high 16 points to lead Miami over North Carolina Central, 83-53, in the Hurricanes’ season opener Saturday.

Durand Scott dished out a game-high 10 assists — with zero turnovers — to steer the Miami offense. It was the most assists by a Hurricane in exactly three years, since Anthony Harris finished with 10 assists versus Alcorn State on Nov. 14, 2006.

Thomas shot 6-for-9 from the field, including 4-for-7 from the 3-point line, while Dwayne Collins finished with 12 points and six rebounds for Miami.

“It’s great to get that first game under your belt,” said sixth-year head coach Frank Haith, who improved to 6-0 in season openers. “I thought Durand was outstanding. He had the ability to have vision and make good plays and not turn the ball over.

“You look at our numbers from our bench production, when we substitute, and we get good play off our bench. That’s a sign of a deep team and a solid team.”

The Hurricanes pulled away with a 14-2 spurt in the final 4:42 of the first half. Gamble scored six-straight points during the run, including a fast-break dunk for Miami’s first double-digit lead at 36-25 with 1:25 left in the half. Malcolm Grant knocked down a three-pointer to send the Hurricanes into the break with the 39-25 advantage.

Gamble was Miami’s third scorer in double figures with 10 points in 14 minutes.

The Hurricanes extended their lead to 20 points early in the second half and would lead by as many as 33 points in the game.

Vincent Davis led the Eagles with 16 points. North Carolina Central (0-2) lost its season opener 89-42 at defending NCAA champion North Carolina on Wednesday.