Canes Hoops Recap: Epic Rally Gives Canes Gut-Wrenching Win

The Miami Hurricanes 20-8 (9-7), hosted the Boston College Golden Eagles 16-13 (6-10), at the Watsco Center Saturday at 2PM.

The Hurricanes looked to avenge their 72-70 loss on February 10th.

Despite nine first half points from Walker— who would finish with 14 points, and another ten from Dewan Huell— who led the Canes in scoring with 16, the Eagles took a 41-39 lead into halftime behind 14 points from Jerome Robinson and 12 from Nik Popovic. Popovic would finish with 17 while Robinson would score a game-high 30.

After halftime, Boston College extended their lead to 54-46, behind a three pointer and old fashioned three point play in succession, combined with a low energy start to the second half for Miami.

The energy didn’t seem to be there for the Canes. Anytime a run seemed iminent to get back into the game, it just never materialized.

Dewan Huell— who also led Miami in rebounds with nine, would get a tough post basket or DJ Vasiljevic— who hit a couple of nice shots off the bench would knock down a deep one, the nice play would be neutralized by a BC response.

That is until late in the game.

Boston College’s lead peaked at 69-55 with just under six munites to play, and I began to think that next week’s senior night game would not be the last game at the Watsco Center (Credit to you if you get what I mean).

Then the missing energy came and the run began to unfold. Anthony Lawrence and Chris Lykes— who scored 13 and 15 respectively— scored while the Eagles went over two minutes without scoring at all.

Amp knocked down another three-pointer while Chris Lykes got to the foul line multiple times to score with the clock stopped. With 90 seconds left, the deficit had been cut to five. And with one minute left to play, it was a one possession game.

After Lykes knocked another two free throws down, the deficit stood at one. Luka Kraljevic then made one of two shoots for BC, giving Miami the ball back down just two.

Then, this happened...

The Eagles took a timeout to try and set up a desperation shot, but could not get such a shot up in the air and Miami could officially celebrate the comeback.

This win bumps Miami’s record to 20-8 and 9-7 in the ACC. Work to get into the NCAA Tournament is still not done, but after this game, the picture is looking much, much clearer for the Cane’s dance hopes.

For now, the Hurricanes sit in sixth place in the unprecedentedly tough Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Canes next game is Tuesday night at the North Carolina Tar Heels 22-7 (11-5). Tip-off is at 9PM on ESPN.