Miami Hurricanes Edge Out N.C. State in Thrilling Finish
In a thrilling finish on Saturday night, the Miami Hurricanes edged the North Carolina State Wolfpack 77-76, thanks to a strong performance by Malik Reneau, who tallied 26 points in the contest. The game slipped into a dramatic conclusion when N.C. State briefly took the lead, scoring seven consecutive points to go ahead 76-69 with just over a minute remaining.
Key Moments of the Game
Reneau quickly responded, converting a three-point play which ignited a surge for Miami. Teammate Tru Washington then contributed with a layup, narrowing the gap to 76-74 with 32 seconds left on the clock. A pivotal moment arrived when Quadir Copeland from N.C. State failed to convert a crucial free throw with only 13 seconds remaining. On Miami’s following possession, Washington was fouled while attempting a three-pointer by Darrion Williams from the Wolfpack, leading to a trip to the charity stripe with three seconds remaining. Washington maintained his composure, sinking all three free throws to shift the momentum in Miami’s favor.
“With the pressure mounting, N.C. State’s Matt Able had a chance to win the game but his three-point attempt fell short, sealing victory for the Hurricanes.”
Player Contributions
In addition to Reneau’s impressive scoring, Shelton Henderson contributed significantly with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Tre Donaldson and Washington added 14 and 13 points, respectively. This win marked Miami’s third consecutive victory and fifth in their last six games, advancing their record to 20-5 and 9-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
N.C. State’s Performance
On the other side, N.C. State, who now stands at 18-8 and 9-4 in the conference, saw strong performances from Able and Ven-Allen Lubin, both scoring 17 points. However, the Wolfpack has faced challenges recently, losing two straight after a robust six-game winning streak was halted by a staggering 118-77 defeat against No. 24 Louisville. In the first half, Able made three triples, contributing to the Wolfpack’s 43-37 lead at halftime, while Reneau led Miami with 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Miami is set to host Virginia Tech on Tuesday, while N.C. State will try to bounce back at home against No. 11 North Carolina.
