Canes Down Albacete 77-66 in Spain

The University of Miami men’s basketball team defeated Albacete Baloncesto 77-66 Sunday night in Albacete, Spain, as part of the Hurricanes’ educational and competitive overseas tour.

Sheldon McClellan led the Hurricanes with 24 points, five steals, three rebounds and a pair of assists. McClellan notched 11 points in the fourth quarter alone, including a pair of 3-pointers and an emphatic dunk in the final few minutes to seal the victory for the Canes.

Spaniard Ivan Cruz Uceda continued to crash the boards, pulling down 13 rebounds, including eight on the defensive end. He added eight points, and a pair of steals, blocks and assists.

After falling behind 8-6, the Hurricanes tied the game at eight, then took the lead for good when Deandre Burnett gave Miami the 15-13 edge by hitting a shot from long distance. Albacete gave Miami a scare when they brought the game within one, 53-52 at the end of the third quarter. A pair of 3-pointers from McClellan and one from James Palmer helped stretch the lead to 77-63 with 40 seconds left in the game.

Miami notched 17 assists on 33 made shots, blocked seven Albacete shots, recorded 18 steals and forced 21 turnovers. The Canes outrebounded the Spanish squad 47-24

Tonight’s game was played in four 10-minute quarters in front of an estimated crowd of 352 fans.

In Miami’s two games in Spain, McClellan leads the Canes with 20.5 ppg and Cruz Uceda with 15.0 rebounds per game.

The Canes next play Wednesday at 8 p.m. against CB Quart in Barcelona. Follow the Canes through Spain socially at @CanesHoops.