Miami Holds on to Beat Georgia Tech, 59-57

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) – The Miami Hurricanes overcame a season-high 28 turnovers and snapped a four-game losing streak Thursday night by taking advantage of Georgia Tech’s poor shooting to win 59-57.

Miami built a 21-point lead with 13 1/2 minutes left, then held on despite making only two baskets the rest of the way.

Sophomore Glen Rice Jr. scored a career-high 28 points for the Yellow Jackets, who shot a season-worst 27 percent. Miami foiled Georgia Tech’s bid to force overtime when Iman Shumpert was called for charging with 9 seconds left.

The Hurricanes (13-9, 2-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) survived a tense finish after losing four consecutive games by a total of 11 points. The Yellow Jackets (10-11, 3-5) remained winless in seven road games this season and haven’t won an away game in the league since Jan. 16, 2010.

Reggie Johnson’s dunk with 13:37 left gave the Hurricanes their biggest advantage, 48-27. But Tech went to a full-court press that compounded the Hurricanes’ turnover trouble, and they made only one basket over the next 12 minutes.

During one stretch Miami committed five consecutive turnovers.

Rion Brown’s breakaway dunk after the Hurricanes beat the press put them up 58-51 with 1:33 left. They committed two turnovers and missed two shots and a free throw the rest of the way.

But Tech shot two air balls in the frantic final seconds, and Miami held on even after the Yellow Jackets’ Mfon Udofia scored to make it 58-57 with 20 seconds to go. While Rice shot 9 for 22, his teammates went 8 for 40 – 20 percent.

Malcolm Grant led the Hurricanes with 15 points, and Garrius Adams had 11, while Johnson grabbed 11 rebounds for his fourth-straight game with double-figure boards.

The Hurricanes sank a pair of 3-pointers during a 9-0 run that put them ahead 20-9. The Yellow Jackets missed their first nine 3-point tries before Shumpert sank one to cut Miami’s lead to 22-20.

From there, the Hurricanes went on a 16-3 run that spanned halftime. They went the length of the court in the final 2.2 seconds of the first half for a buzzer-beater by Adams, and Durand Scott sank his only basket 3 1/2 minutes into the second half for a 38-23 lead.

Tonight’s Starters
Starting for Miami tonight was Durand Scott, Garrius Adams, Reggie Johnson, Malcolm Grant and Julian Gamble. This is the eighth game and third straight that Coach Haith has used this starting lineup, with team going 5-3 with these starters. Scott, Grant and Johnson have started every game this season.

Tonight’s Opponent
The Hurricanes have now defeated Georgia Tech in six of the last seven matchups, including four straight in Coral Gables. A close game was no surprise as the last six meetings between the programs have been decided by 10 points or less.

From Downtown, Over and Over again
With Garrius Adams’ fastbreak three-pointer early on, the Hurricanes have now made a three-pointer in 282 straight games. Miami was able to establish the lead shooting 4-7 from deep early on and went on to hit 5-of-10 at the break. For the night, Miami converted seven threes at a 43.8 percent clip.

Three-point specialist Adrian Thomas was at it again hitting three more triples off the bench. It is the 10th time this season and the 27th time in his career he has made at least three from beyond the arc in a game. In addition, AT has connected from deep in 51 of his last 57 outings.

The Hurricanes also defended the arc well, holding the Yellow Jackets to 1-14 (7.1%) from long range in the first half and 4-28 (14.3%) overall – an opponent low for the Hurricanes this season.

Out of the Gates
The Hurricanes took the lead from the start and never relinquished it all night, leading by as many as 21 points with 13:37 remaining.

De-fense
The ‘Canes defensive pressure forced Georgia Tech into their worst shooting night of the year as they converted just 17-of-62 (27.4%) of their shots. It was the best defensive effort of the year statistically for the hosts, after previously holding Pepperdine to just 30.9% from the field on December 30, 2010.

Down to the Wire
The ‘Canes have been playing some close games in ACC play as their last six have come down to a deciding shot in the final seconds.

Off the Glass
All eight ‘Canes that saw action recorded at least one rebound tonight. Miami won the overall rebounding battle 39-31 led by Reggie Johnson’s 10 boards for his fourth-straight game with double-figure boards. Freshman Rion Brown set a new career-high bringing down eight caroms.

Overcoming Adversity
Miami was able to pull out the victory getting past a season-high 28 turnovers. Georgia Tech converted them into 30 points of their own, while the ACC’s steals leaders grabbed a season-high 17 versus the Hurricanes.

Faces in the Crowd
Among those in attendance tonight were President Donna Shalala, two-time All-ACC First Team pick Jack McClinton, former UM basketball player Alex Fraser, former UM football player and current Miami Dolphin Vernon Carey and Luther Campbell.