Canes drop OT battle to GW 71-63 in OT

The roller coaster season that is 2013-14 for Hurricanes Hoops, continued today with a 71-63 overtime loss to George Washington in the 1st round of the Wooden Classic in Fullerton, Ca.

UM made a huge comeback in the second half behind Garrius Adams to take the lead, but the Colonials made a huge basket at the close of regulation and dominated overtime to take the victory.

Miami started the game on an 8-4 run thanks to a couple of nice moves by Rion Brown and some air tight half court defense.

But the Colonials quickly got back into the game with some transition buckets as UM struggled to find shots of their own.

Both teams started to find some offense after the first TV timeout with James Kelly finishing on a sensational alley hoop from Garrius Adams, and Nemanja Mikic answering with a triple for GW.

Over the course of the first half, Kelly would continue his fine play with 8 early points, but Mikic would nail another long jumper, to even things at 18 at the 9 minute mark.

Red hot shooting Davon Reed knocked down a pair of three balls to get the lead back, but the feisty A-10 Colonials kept fighting back.

Maurice Creek drove to the hoop for a bucket with just over a minute to go in the first stanza. and a seesaw first half concluded with George Washington up a point 27-26.

That would as good as it got for a while.

GW started the second half on fire with an 11-2 run. Each bucket came at the rim, either in transition or off dribble drives.

Miami's ability to stop penetration off the dribble as well as how they take care of the basketball, will really need to improve for them to have a winning season this year.

A Manu LeComte bomb finally ended the drought for UM, but Mikic hit another three to extend to a 12 point lead.

UM was reeling.

But that's when Adams and UM took over. The 'Canes went to a bigger line-up and the defense stiffened.

Adams sparked the O behind a couple of driving buckets, a three pointer, and a free throw that cut the lead to 5.

Another GA three would cut the lead to 2.

But Mikic answered with another 3 of his own to give GW some temporary breathing room.

But Miami kept surging

GA added two free throws, and a put back by Kelly sliced the lead to 1.  2 free throws by Brown put the 'Canes ahead with under 3 to go.

The teams traded free throws and UM was up by 2 with under a minute to go, and a chance to close out the game.

However UM could not stop Joe McDonald from taking the call to the hoop and Adams missed a running three pointer at the buzzer, sending the game to OT

Miami's third game of the season to go into OT would end in disappointment.  The 'Canes were sloppy for the entire extra session and could not stop the Colonials from scoring.

Creek hit a desperation three with the shot clock winding down, to build the lead to 6 halfway through OT,  and that was essentially that.

Miami will take on the loser of the Cal State Fullerton Marquette game tomorrow.