@CanesHoops Defeats Richmond, Headed To NY
| TEAM COMPARISON | ||
|---|---|---|
| UM |
RU | |
| Points | 63 | 61 |
| FGM-A | 19-61 | 21-54 |
| FG% | 31 | 39 |
| 3 FGM-A | 2-16 | 5-21 |
| 3 FG% | 13 | 24 |
| FTM-A | 23-28 | 14-21 |
| FT% | 82 | 67 |
| Rebounds | 47 | 32 |
| Assists | 5 | 12 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 7 |
| Blocks | 0 | 4 |
| TEAM LEADERS | ||
|---|---|---|
| UM |
RU | |
| Points | McClellan – 16 | Cline – 17 |
| Rebounds | Reed – 12 | Allen – 11 |
| Assists | Two tied – 2 | Anthony – 4 |
| Blocks | None | Nelson-Ododa – 3 |
| PLAYER OF THE GAME |
|---|
 Sheldon McClellan | Jr. | GFacing an 18-point second half deficit, McClellan scored 10 second half points, including two clutch threes in the Miami win. |
| VIDEO | ||
|---|---|---|
| Highlights | Condensed Replay | Game Replay |
| SOCIAL | ||
|---|---|---|
| @CanesHoops | ||
| /CanesHoops | ||
| @CanesHoops | ||
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Sheldon McClellan gave Miami its first lead of the game with 1:02 remaining and the Hurricanes rallied from 18 points down to beat Richmond 63-61 on Tuesday to advance to the NIT semifinals.
The Spiders led most of the game and used a pair of 3-pointers to spread out their lead to 36-18 early in the second half. But a streak of Richmond fouls and mostly accurate free throw shooting allowed the Hurricanes to slowly close the gap as Richmond’s offense sputtered in the face of a withering Miami press.
McClellan scored seven straight points, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 2:03 left, and Davon Reed added two free throws for a 61-55 lead with 26 seconds left.
McClellan led Miami (24-12) with 16 points. Davon Reed had 10 points and 12 rebounds as the Hurricanes dominated the glass 47-32, with 17 offensive boards.
Richmond (21-14) was led by Terry Allen with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Noteworthy
* With the win, Miami will play at Madison Square Garden in New York City, which will be Coach L’s first appearance as a head coach in the World’s Most Famous Arena. He played in multiple times while at Providence, and was an assistant coach for Virginia when the Cavaliers won the NIT in 1980. Larrañaga’s final collegiate game as a Friar was played against UNC in 1971, an 86-79 loss for PC in the NIT Elite 8.
* After Tuesday’s victory, Miami is now 24-12 overall, tied for the second-most wins in school history. In 2012-13 Miami tallied 29 victories, and in 2001-02 the Canes posted 24 wins.
* Miami improves to 12-6 away from home this season, with eight road wins and four neutral site victories.
* The victory is Miami’s first win over Richmond, in the first meeting between the two teams.
* With 24 victories, Coach Jim Larrañaga has now posted two of the school’s top three best seasons, with 29 wins in 2012-13 and 23 in 2014-15. The other was 24 wins in 2001-02.
* Miami held Richmond to just four field goals over the final 12 minutes of the game. The Hurricanes also held the Spiders without a field goal for nearly six minutes.
* The Hurricanes outscored the Spiders 18-4 in second chance points.
* Miami outscored Richmond 25-10 over the final eight minutes of the game to rally back from an 18-point deficit with 16:51 to go in the game.
* The Hurricanes improved to 9-8 when trailing at the half. Miami trailed 30-18 at the half. Miami outscored Richmond 45-31 in the second half.
* Miami’s starters vs. Richmond: Manu Lecomte, Davon Reed, Sheldon McClellan, Ivan Cruz Uceda and Tonye Jekiri. The team is now (2-0) with this lineup.
Miami in the NIT
* Miami improves to 10-11 in its 12 appearances in the NIT.
* The Canes are now 1-3 in NIT quarterfinal games.
* Miami’s 11 NIT appearances without playing in a semifinal game was the second-most of the 32 teams in the 2015 NIT field, behind Arizona State and Illinois State.
* Miami’s three wins in the postseason are the most in school history. Miami has gone 2-1 in the NIT on two previous occasions and 2-1 in the NCAA Tournament twice.
Player Notes
* With 16 points against the Spiders, Sheldon McClellan has score in double digits in 28 games this season.
* With 12 rebounds at Richmond, Tonye Jekiri has grabbed 10+ rebounds in 21 outings.
*Tonye Jekiri’s 10 points and 12 rebounds mark his 12th double-double of the year.
* With his 12 rebounds against Richmond, Tonye Jekiri’s 366 boards are fourth all-time in Miami’s record book for rebounds in a season. He trails No. 1 Rick Barry (475), No. 2 Rick Barry (448) and No. 3 Harry Manushaw (372).
*Joe Thomas’ seven points are a career-high at Miami.
Coach L Notes
* Coach Larrañaga improves to 5-5 against Richmond.
* Coach Larrañaga has a 560-382 overall record in his 31st season as a head coach. He is 90-48 in his fourth season at the University of Miami, with a 41-29 mark in ACC play.
