Nijel Pack scores 23 second-half points, but UM falls short 74-68 on road to NC State
University of Miami guard Nijel Pack scored all 23 of his points in the second half as the Hurricanes tried to rally against NC State, but it wasn’t enough. UM fell short 74-68.
The Hurricanes shot 36.4 percent and were 25 percent from three-point range (7-of-28). They missed five of their 18 free throws, including two by Pack with under a minute to go that would have gotten Miami to within two points.
Even so, UM had chances to tie or win. Down 70-66, Kyshawn George and Pack missed three-point attempts, and Norchad Omier missed a close-range shot he usually makes.
“We just didn’t shoot the ball very well,” said UM coach Jim Larranaga. “A lot of credit to their defense, but some were point blank shots, wide open, right at the rim, and we missed.”
Omier and Wooga Poplar each recorded double-doubles for Miami, which was playing without injured Matt Cleveland (bruised hip) for the second game in a row. Omier finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds. He leads the ACC with 11 double doubles this season. Poplar had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Freshman Paul Djobet, getting added minutes with the absence of Cleveland, had a season-best six rebounds as the Canes outrebounded the Pack 46-31.
Miami fell to 14-7, 5-5 ACC. The Wolfpack is 14-7, 6-4 ACC).
The Hurricanes return home for a Saturday noon game against Virginia Tech (ESPN).
“Every game is the same, they’re all worth one and we have to bounce back and play well on Saturday,” Larranaga said.