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CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -Starting guards Malcolm Grant and Durand Scott combined for 43 points to lead Miami past Jacksonville, 89-77, in the season opener for both teams Friday night at the BankUnited Center.
Grant scored a career-high 23 points — including a career-high four three-pointers — and Scott finished with 20 as the Hurricanes shook off a tough first-half challenge from the Dolphins, who advanced to the second round of the NIT in 2010.
Miamitook the lead for good with a 12-0 run midway through the second half. Adrian Thomas’ second of two 3-pointers during the spurt capped the run with 6:47 remaining and gave the Hurricanes a 76-64 lead.
Grant converted on 7 of 12 shots, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range. Scott finished 8 of 14 from the field, while Reggie Johnson finished with 13 points and Thomas added 12.
Jacksonville led at halftime, 48-42, behind Glenn Powell’s 10 first-half points. Powell led the Dolphins with 18 points.
Tonight’s Starters
Starting for Miami tonight was Durand Scott, DeQuan Jones, Reggie Johnson, Malcolm Grant and Adrian Thomas.
Preseason Accolades
The Hurricanes garnered four votes in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 Poll to tie for 43rd.
Picking up where they left off
Adrian Thomas has extended his third-point streak to 12-straight games dating back to last season – the longest active streak in the ACC. He has made a three in 48 of his last 53 games. Last year, Thomas led the ACC in 3-point FG percentage (.421), and was 4-of-9 tonight from behind the arc.
Malcolm Grant and Durand Scott became the first UM tandem since 1992-1993 to dish out 100+ assists each in the same season in the 2009-10 season. Scott had six assists (one turnover) versus the Dolphins and Grant added four. Garrius Adams, who will be some seeing time at the point guard position this season, added three assists with just one turnover.
Strong Guard Play
Tonight’s starting backcourt, Malcolm Grant and Durand Scott scored 43 of the Hurricanes 89 points on 15-of-26 shooting. Grant set new careers high in points (23), 3-point field goals made (4), steals (3) and field goals made (7). This marks the first time the Hurricanes have had two players with 20+ points since Jan. 1, 2009 against Florida Atlantic and the first time Miami has had five players score in double figures (Grant, Scott, Reggie Johnson, Adrian Thomas and Julian Gamble) since Dec. 21, 2009 versus North Carolina A&T. Scott has now scored in double figures in nine of his last 10 games, the most on the team.
Other Career Highs
DeQuan Jones set a new career high with eight rebounds, besting his previous high of six.
Opening Act
Miami improves to 7-0 in season openers under Frank Haith, their sixth straight season-opening win by double digits, and their 18th straight overall.
Balanced Effort
Eleven different Hurricanes saw the floor tonight, with eight of them scoring.
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