Hurricanes Roll Past McNeese State, 79-59

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CORAL GABLES, Fla. – (AP) Freshman Rion Brown scored 16 points to lead a balanced attack in Miami’s 79-59 victory over McNeese State on Wednesday night at the BankUnited Center.

Brown, who shot 4 of 6 from 3-point range, was one of six Hurricanes to finish in double figures as Miami (3-2) rebounded from its second loss of the season Sunday at Rutgers.

The Hurricanes extended a 12-point halftime lead to 54-32 on two 3-pointers by Malcolm Grant and one apiece from Durand Scott and Garrius Adams during the first 3:14 of the second half.

Donnavan Kirk‘s jumper with 7:34 left gave the Hurricanes their biggest lead, 71-44.

Scott and Reggie Johnson scored 12 points each, while Adams added 11 and DeQuan Jones and Grant had 10 apiece. Grant also finished with nine assists and zero turnovers.

Johnson also grabbed nine rebounds, just missing his fourth straight double-double. Freshman Raphael Akpejiori put up a team- season-high four blocks in 11 minutes.

Diego Kapelan led the Cowboys (2-3) with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 6 of 10 from behind the arc.

Miaminever trailed after Scott’s 3-point play for a 25-24 lead with 6:37 left in the first half.

Brown’s third 3-pointer of the first half increased the Hurricanes’ lead to 32-24 with 4:02 remaining. Johnson scored two baskets in an 8-0 spurt, which gave Miamiits biggest advantage of the first half, 40-27, en route to a 42-30 lead at the break.

The Cowboys ran off to a 7-0 lead in the first 2:40 behind Patrick Richard’s two field goals and Kapelan’s 3-pointer.

Richard and Kapelan scored 21 of the Cowboys’ 30 first-half points, but Richard was held scoreless in the second half and finished with 13 points.

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Grant Nearly Hits Rare Mark
Junior guard Malcolm Grant nearly became the first Hurricane since John Salmons in 2002 to record a double-double with points and assists. Grant turned in 10 points and nine assists, one assist shy of being the first `Cane in eight years to accomplish the feat. Salmons’ performance of 11 points and 10 assists came against Virginia Tech on March 2, 2002.

Six Pack
For the first time since Dec. 20, 2007, six `Canes scored in double figures with Rion Brown (16), Durand Scott (12), Reggie Johnson (12), Garrius Adams (11), DeQuan Jones (10) and Malcolm Grant (10) achieving this versus the Cowboys. The last time it happened, Jack McClinton (13), Dwayne Collins (13), Brian Asbury (11), James Dews (11), Lance Hurdle (11) and Raymond Hicks (10) accomplished the feat at home against North Florida nearly three years ago.

Reggie Nearly Does it Again
Sophomore center Reggie Johnson nearly extended his consecutive games with a double-double streak to four straight with a 12-point, nine-rebound performance tonight. Johnson, who came into the game with consecutive double-doubles against Memphis (12 points, 12 rebounds), North Carolina Central (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Rutgers (12 points, 14 rebounds), is one of just three ACC players averaging a double-double this season.

Grant Extends Streak
Junior Malcolm Grant extended his consecutive games with a three-pointer streak to 12 tonight when he connected on a three early in the second half. Grant, whose streak is the second-longest active streak in the ACC behind FSU’s Deividas Dulkys’ streak of 14 straight, finished the night 2-of-5 from behind the arc.

Best Defense
The `Canes held the Cowboys to just 59 points Monday night, the lowest offensive output by a UM opponent this season. McNeese State shot just 34.4 percent for the game, including a mark of just 30.6 percent in the second half.

Home Court Advantage
The `Canes have now won 16-straight non-conference regular season games at home and are 3-0 at the BankUnited Center this season with wins over Jacksonville, North Carolina Central and McNeese State. Next week the schedule gets tougher as Ole Miss and West Virginia will visit the BankUnited Center. The `Canes will host the Rebels on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. (Fox Sports Florida/NESN) and the Mountaineers on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. (Sun Sports).

Ticket Information
Be sure to check out HurricaneSports.com Friday morning for a special ticket package that will be offered for future games this season. For additional information or to order season tickets, please contact the Hurricane Ticket Office online at www.hurricanesports.com or by phone at 1-800-GO-CANES.