Brown dazzles as Hurricanes upset the Blue Devils
CORAL GABLES – Their win against Virginia earlier this week had them dancing in the locker room.
The Hurricanes win over Duke Saturday likely assured they’ll be dancing in the NCAA Tournament.
Miami’s men’s basketball team, which already once this season has blown a lead against the powerhouse Blue Devils, was determined to not let that happen again.
Thanks to a spectacular effort from freshman Bruce Brown, it didn’t.
The guard dazzled on Saturday, scoring a gamehigh 25 points as the Hurricanes, playing in their final regular-season home game of the season, held off the 10th-ranked Blue Devils to pick up a 55-50 win. He scored 13 of them in the first 20 minutes.
The victory marks Miami’s second upset of a ranked team this week after the Hurricanes bested the then 18th-ranked Cavaliers 54-48 in overtime on Monday. It also marked their second upset of the season of a Tobacco Road blue blood, with Miami knocking off then No. 9 North Carolina late last month.
And just as he did that day against the Tar Heels when he had a career-high 30 points, Brown shone.
On a day when Miami’s offense at times struggled, the guard found ways to put points on the board, shooting 6-of-8 in the first half, while his teammates combined to go 4-of-21 in the period.
In the second half, when Miami was mired in scoring droughts reminiscent of the ones that appeared in Durham when the Blue Devils (22-7, 10-6 ACC) used a strong second half to beat Miami, it was often Brown that helped them emerge.
Ultimately, there was little Duke – a team full of talented freshmen of its own – could do to stop him.
Davon Reed, who along with Kamari Murphy, was honored pregame as part of Miami’s Senior Day celebration, finished with nine points and 10 rebounds. Ja’Quan Newton, returning after a three-game suspension, added seven points and five rebounds for Miami, which has now posted a 5-3 record against Duke under coach Jim Larrañaga.
For Miami (20-8, 10-6), defense was at the forefront and points were at a premium in the first half against the Blue Devils, who were playing without standout guard Grayson Allen, out with an ankle injury. Without him, the Blue Devils struggled.