Miami Defeats Notre Dame in ACC Opener

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The eighth-ranked University of Miami men’s basketball (6-1) preserved its perfect record at home this season, defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-4), 62-49, Saturday afternoon at the Watsco Center.

“You have to play the game and you have to play the opponent,” head coach Jim Larrañaga said. “We knew this game would be much slower-paced and lower scoring and we needed to adjust to that. We didn’t shoot great, not terrible, 38 percent from three and 46 percent overall, but we’re very capable of doing much better. To be where we want to be, we just have to improve our defense.”

Eight of nine Hurricanes who saw action in the game recorded a bucket and three scored in double-figures. Miami was led in scoring by junior guard Matthew Cleveland, who totaled 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting to go along with five rebounds and four assists.

Fourth-year junior Norchad Omier tallied his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds on the afternoon.

The Fighting Irish got on the board first, stringing together a 7-0 run in the early goings to take a five-point, 10-5, lead at the first media timeout. Junior guard Wooga Poplar put a halt to Notre Dame’s run with a 3-pointer at the 13:55 mark in the frame to spark a 10-2 run for the Hurricanes.

Five different Hurricanes connected on a 3-pointer in the first half to give Miami a 33-26 lead at the half.

Miami extended its lead back to double-figures,40-30, on a 3-pointer by fourth-year junior guard Nijel Pack three minutes into the second half. However, the Fighting Irish continued to battle, cutting the lead to single-digits, 58-49, with 5:21 to play in the game.

The Hurricanes’ defense locked down in the waning minutes of the game, holding Notre Dame scoreless in the final five minutes of the game. Omier stretched the lead back to double-figures with a second-chance basket at the 2:50 mark to seal the win for the Hurricanes.

Miami remains at home to host LIU at 7 p.m on Wednesday, December 6. The game will air on ACC Network Extra.