California Golden Bears Triumph Over Miami Hurricanes
In a thrilling matchup in Coral Gables, Florida, the California Golden Bears secured a narrow victory against the Miami Hurricanes, claiming an 86-85 triumph on Saturday. Key contributions came from John Camden, who delivered a season-best performance with 26 points, while Dhiaukuei Manyiel Dut, who had seen limited playtime this season, emerged as an unexpected star.
Key Moments and Player Performances
With his team facing foul trouble among big players, the 7-foot Dut made a vital block against Ernest Udeh Jr.‘s layup in the game’s final moments and later scored the decisive basket with just under a minute left on the clock.
Additionally, Justin Pippen proved instrumental for Cal, contributing 17 points along with eight assists, while teammates Chris Bell and Dai Dai Ames added 16 and 14 points, respectively, propelling the Golden Bears to a record of 16 wins and 6 losses, with a 4-5 standing in the ACC.
Miami Hurricanes’ Efforts
For the Hurricanes, Malik Reneau shone brightly, tallying 24 points with 20 scored in a powerful second half. Shelton Henderson and Tre Donaldson supported with 16 and 14 points, respectively, while both Ernest Udeh Jr. and Dante Allen chipped in with 12 points each. Miami, which currently boasts a 17-5 record and a 6-3 ACC standing, had managed to build an 11-point lead with under nine minutes left in the game.
Game Statistics
The game was marked by aggressive play, leading to a total of 65 free throw attempts between both teams, with Miami converting 57% of their shots compared to Cal’s 49%, including 10 of 23 from beyond the arc. The first half saw the Golden Bears trailing narrowly at 45-44, following a late 9-2 run capped by Allen’s 3-pointer, as Miami’s Tru Washington, a regular starter and key player, missed the game for personal reasons.
Upcoming Matches
Moving forward, California will host Georgia Tech this Wednesday, while Miami prepares for a matchup against Boston College next Saturday.
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