Malik Reneau’s efficient 16-point performance and Shelton Henderson’s 14-point contribution powered No. 17 Miami to a decisive 89-51 victory over North Florida on Monday night. The Hurricanes secured their second consecutive win, bouncing back from a season-opening loss to top-ranked Florida, with Caleb Gaskins adding 12 points. Robert Miller III and Somto Cyril each contributed 10 points and eight rebounds, while Miller also recorded four blocks to anchor a dominant defensive effort.
Hurricanes dominate the paint and force 17 turnovers to snap early-season defensive concerns.
Miami’s offensive strategy focused heavily on interior dominance, outscoring the Ospreys 64-26 in the paint despite a sluggish 5-of-27 shooting percentage from three-point range. Reneau, who struggled with just five points against the Gators, recovered with a 7-of-10 field goal performance in only 18 minutes. This marked his second straight double-digit scoring game, signaling a significant offensive boost for the Hurricanes as they adjust to their new season.
Defensively, Miami continued its impressive early-season trend by forcing 17 turnovers, extending a streak of at least 15 forced errors in each of their first three contests. The Hurricanes established their first double-digit lead of the game at 27-17 with 9:07 remaining in the first half, thanks to Cyril’s free throws. This defensive pressure and physical play in the paint proved decisive, allowing Miami to control the pace and secure a comfortable 38-point margin of victory.
Source: Yahoo Sports
