Miami Basketball Throttles FSU, 72-59

Last season, a huge final four minutes by Xavier Rathan Mayes nearly led to an amazing come from behind victory for FSU in Coral Gables.

This time around, it was a UM player who came up clutch.

Sheldon McClellan erupted for 20 of his 21 points in the second half to lead the Miami Hurricanes to a solid 72-59 Vs FSU Saturday evening from the BUC.

McClellan, who had a quiet first half, was a perfect 7-7 in the final 20 minutes as the 'Canes pretty much controlled the action through out.

The Miami defense stifled Rathan Mayes most of the night, and three big triples in the first half by Davon Reed helped UM build an early lead.

But Florida State kept fighting back, cutting the lead to just 3 in the early moments of the final 20.

That's when McClellan went to work.

Scoring on some spectacular drives, and being aided by the reliable sophomore Ja'Quan Newton (13 points off the bench) UM's leading scorer helped them establish a double digit second half lead they never relinquished.

The Noles made a few runs, but they struggled all day to put the ball in the basket.

And each time it got close to single digits, Newton or McClellan would respond almost immediately.

Good thing for Coach L's squad.

Angel Rodriguez had a tough night, going just 2-8 before fouling out.

Florida State fell to 0-3 on the season in ACC play.

And while on paper they look like a team that could finish in the bottom half of the conference now, they are very talented.

However freshmen sensations Malik Beasley and Dwayne Bacon were held to a combined 9-28 shooting.

The 'Canes (now 2-0 in the ACC) also had some rough stretches offensively.

But thanks to some timely drives by their two top guards were never really threatened down the stretch.

It was a good win for a team hoping to make a deep run not only in conference, but come March Madness.