Canes Hoops: Bethune-Cookman Game Recap

The Miami Hurricanes didn’t have the prettiest performance on Saturday afternoon against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.

But some pretty stats from key players helped Miami take their third win in this young season.

Chris Lykes continued his high-offensive output in a season where he is expected to be a key scorer—recording a team high 21 points to go along with six assists, also tops on the team.

DJ Vasiljevic was right behind with 20 points while going 4-9 behind the arc.

Tony Capobianco

Anthony Lawrence recorded 13 points of his own, leading Miami in rebounds with nine. Lawrence only went 1-5 from beyond the arc, but his only three-pointer came at a key point in the game, late to extend the lead Miami wouldn’t give up.

The Hurricanes only scored 11 team bench points, with Zach Johnson scoring nine of them. If one were to examine reasons why this game was close through its entirety, scoring depth would appear at the top of the list.

Right below that would be Bethune-Cookman’s Malik Maitland having a career day, scoring 29 points with nine rebounds. While just short of the double-double, Cletrell Pope picked up the rest with 18 points and 10 points.

But the rest of the Wildcats scored just 23 points, showing the situational ability of the Cane defense.

Maitland was quick to make his presence known, giving his team the early lead.

A dry spell for the Canes helped the Wildcats extend their lead.

Lykes and Waardenburg got the game back on track after the slow first half.

Much of the second half was a back-and-forth as Maitland often answered Miami baskets.

Two moments would spark separation between the two teams as Miami pulled away late.

DJ Vasiljevic’s two technical shots came right before Anthony Lawrence hit the free throws from the personal foul.

This would put the nail in the coffin, as Miami took an eight point lead that held until the final horn.

Stats

C. Lykes: 21 points, six assists

D. Vasiljevic: 20 points, 4-9 3FG

A. Lawrence: 13 points, 9 rebounds

Z. Johnson: 9 points

M. Maitland (BCU): 29 points, 5-7 3FG, 9 rebounds

C. Pope (BCU): 18 points, 10 rebounds

Miami is next in action on Thanksgiving Day, playing La Salle in Fullerton, California at 2:30 PM Eastern. Miami played La Salle last year in Reading, PA. This year’s game will be shown on ESPN2.