URGENT UPDATE: In a stunning turnaround, the Miami Hurricanes overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Panthers 76-69 in their Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opener on January 3, 2023. Star player Malik Reneau delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 28 points and sinking all 10 free throws as Miami surged in the second half.
The Hurricanes faced a challenging first half, trailing 43-33 after Pittsburgh launched into a 20-0 run. However, Miami flipped the script in the second half, outscoring the Panthers 43-26. The momentum shifted when Tre Donaldson scored a layup, giving Miami its first lead of the half with 14:18 remaining.
Miami’s decisive run included an 8-0 stretch capped off by a layup from Reneau with just 5:57 left on the clock. Donaldson contributed significantly with 19 points, while Tru Washington added 11 points. Key performances also came from Shelton Henderson, who recorded 10 points and 8 rebounds, and Ernest Udeh Jr., who secured 11 rebounds and 3 steals.
Despite struggling from beyond the arc, shooting just 4 of 22 from 3-point range, Miami’s dominance on the boards, with a 43-28 rebounding advantage, was pivotal. The Hurricanes capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 20 of 26 attempts.
On the opposing side, Pittsburgh’s Corhen led the team with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Barry Dunning Jr. added 16 points, while Damarco Minor chipped in 14 points. The Panthers fell to 7-7 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Looking ahead, Miami will face Wake Forest on January 7, aiming to build on this hard-fought victory. Fans are eager to see if the Hurricanes can maintain their momentum in this developing season.
