On Wednesday evening, Miami headed to the Lone Star State to take on SMU at the Moody Center, earning an impactful 77-69 victory over the Mustangs.
Miami’s win has delivered significant rewards in terms of the teams’ current season and legacy, as not only have the Canes earned a week of rest through the double-bye at the approaching ACC tournament in Charlotte, but have also tied the school record for most wins in a season with 24, while being boosted to the No. 22 spot in the AP Top 25.
Miami flew out of the gate with a trademark Tre Donaldson pass into the elbow for Malik Renau to lay home.
As SMU responded with an offensive rebound into the net, the baskets flew back and forth, with Miami retaining a wire-to-wire lead, finding themselves up 11–7 after the first five.
The Mustangs kept themselves firmly in the game throughout the first half, pushing back numerous times after threes by Donaldson and Renau, clawing to 23 a piece by the eight minute mark.
However, a Noam Dovrat three from the right flank spurred on a consistent Miami lead. Dovrat would continue to drive the Canes in the first half, netting two more threes to close out the half at 38-31 in Miami’s favor.
Miami’s clinicality from the field was underwhelming in the first half, only netting 15 from 33 attempts. Yet, the Hurricanes compensated from outside the arc, shooting 66.7% (6-9) from beyond the three point line.
Miami opened the second half the same way they closed the first, storming on a seven-point streak to achieve a 14-point lead, marked by a layup and a three from Donaldson and a dunk by Shelton Henderson.
The following seven minutes saw SMU slowly cut down the deficit to nine points, with the scoreline sitting at 53-44 with ten minutes remaining. Yet, the Hurricanes continued to stamp their authority on the Mustangs, pushing themselves to a 16-point lead at 60-44.
SMU were able to move the needle back to an eight-point deficit after a Jaron Pierre Jr. three pushed them to 68-60, but after a corner three from Renau, Tru Washington closed out Miami’s scoring, putting down four free throws before stealing the ball himself, receiving it back from Donaldson, and placing in a layup.
Miami matched their season-high three-point percentage, netting 11 times from 18 times for a rate of 61.1%. Meanwhile, their percentage from the floor was 47.4%, only finding the basket 27 out of 57 times.
Tre Donaldson dominated on the attacking front, achieving 17 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Renau contributed with 14 points and 11 rebounds and Ernest Udeh Jr with 8 points and ten rebounds.
Washington chimed in with 15 points, while Henderson netted 11 of his own. Meanwhile, Noam Dovrat earned 12 points, all of which came from beyond the three point line, as he shot 4-5 from beyond the arc.
Miami will seek to finish their season in a similar fashion as they face Louisville at home in the Watsco Center on Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m.