The University of Miami men’s basketball team stormed back from an 11-point deficit in the final 15 minutes to defeat Syracuse, 82-78, Monday night at the Watsco Center.
Third-year sophomore forward Norchad Omier posted a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double to pace No. 17/16 Miami (14-4, 5-3 ACC) and help the Hurricanes remain undefeated at home. Fourth-year junior guard Harlond Beverly also notched 16 points to help the Hurricanes to their third double-digit comeback of the year.
Miami used a 9-0 sub-two-minute run to race out to an 11-2 run after just four minutes and held the Orange without a point for 4:25. However, Syracuse (12-7, 5-3 ACC) quickly began to chip away and then used a 9-0 run of its own, in just 75 seconds, to go ahead, 29-24 with 4:40 on the first-half clock.
Miami got back within one in the final minute of the session, but Syracuse took a four-point cushion, 38-34, into the locker room. Both teams shot under 41 percent in the first half, but combined for an 82.6 percent (19-of-23) clip at the line, as the Hurricanes went 10-of-12 and the Orange shot 9-of-11.
The Orange extended their edge to 10, 49-39, just three minutes into the second frame and went up by a game-best 11 points, 55-44, with 14:44 to go. Miami, though, went on an extended 27-15 run to pull ahead, 71-70, on a fast-break dunk by Beverly with 3:43 on the clock.