Miami Hurricanes lose 95-89 to UCF despite 48 combined points from McGusty, Wong
The Hurricanes got their first true test of the early season at home against UCF on Saturday afternoon and discovered there is still plenty of work to be done.
Despite a highly touted new point guard, a deep bench and 48 combined points from Isaiah Wong and Kam McGusty, Miami lost 95-89 against a sharpshooting, experienced Knights team that was relentless on the boards.
The Hurricanes, hoping their four-guard backcourt would produce high-octane offense, sputtered early. They missed 11 of their first 12 three-point attempts and shot 4-of-17 overall through the first 12 minutes. The Knights took advantage, opened a 14-point early lead and never looked back.
“I thought Central Florida did an absolutely great job of all different kinds of shot-making,” UM coach Jim Larranaga said. “Three-pointers, pull-up jumpers, interior shots. They made 90 percent from the foul line. We got ourselves off to a slow start, missed some wide-open threes from guys who can really shoot the three; we ended up digging ourselves a double-digit hole and spent the rest of the game trying to make a comeback.”
Miami guard Wong, an NBA prospect who led the ACC in scoring last season, got in early foul trouble and played just 11 minutes in the first half, scoring two points before intermission.
Wong made up for his absence in the second half. He reeled off 15 consecutive points to chip away at UCF’s lead and finished with 20 points, but the Knights kept hitting from outside to maintain a double-digit lead.
McGusty, who like Wong returned to UM after testing the NBA waters last spring, led the Hurricanes with 28 points, 14 of them from the free-throw line. The Hurricanes got to the line 39 times, but the Knights made 24 of their 27 free throws (89 percent) and that proved critical.
UCF also outrebounded the Canes 43-23.
“We have a few weaknesses and rebounding is one of them,” Larranaga said. “We’re not a big, strong, physical team. I hate this word, but we’re kind of a finesse team. That team is very athletic, strong, physically imposing and when the shot missed, they were all over the glass and we couldn’t keep them off the boards.”
Miami (1-1) made a furious effort to catch up in the final 30 seconds after a pair of UCF turnovers. A three-point play designed for freshman Bensley Joseph at the top of the key closed the deficit to five points with 25 seconds to go. Jordan Miller’s layup got Miami to within three points with 10 seconds to go.
“We did a very good job at the end of getting within range, but they would not miss a free throw down the stretch and that eliminated any possibility of us pulling ahead,” Larranaga said.
Forward Sam Waardenburg, who is back in the starting lineup after missing all last season with a foot injury, had 16 points. Anthony Walker pitched in 12 points. Point guard Charlie Moore struggled with his shot, going 1 of 8 with three assists in 27 minutes.
“Obviously, this was not a very good defensive game for us and that’s something we need to work on,” Waardenburg said. “We’re an undersized team, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. We have to work harder and make sure everyone is boxing out and that we keep them off the boards. That was a big issue.”
Miami had the most trouble containing forward C.J. Walker and guard Darin Green Jr. Walker finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Green led the Knights with 23 points. Isaiah Adams (12 points) and Brandon Mahan (15 points) also finished in double figures.
Longtime Hurricanes fans may have noticed a familiar face on the Knights bench. Former UM point guard Kevin Norris has been a UCF assistant coach for six seasons under head coach Johnny Dawkins.
UM’s next game is Tuesday night on the road at Florida Atlantic.
This story was originally published November 13, 2021 at 4:49 PM.