UM women use big rally to edge Oklahoma State
Miami of Ohio, Nevada, Northern Kentucky, Southern Illinois and Toledo.
He transferred to Miami after two years, eager to become a better point guard under UM coach
Jim Larrañaga, who had a reputation for developing guards. It took some adjusting, but Pack has come on strong in recent months.
“His mom and dad have raised him right, he’s a great kid,” Larrañaga said. “He’s a great teammate. The first day he arrived on campus, he and Isaiah Wong went to our practice facility and by the end of the workout were best friends. He’s got great character and is one of our leaders.”
David Pack said his son has benefited from learning how to play in the structured Midwest environment, and now adding some East Coast freedom, aggression and responsibility to his game.
The structure and discipline served him well amid the chaos of the final
Unfortunately, that may have been the case early for Miami, too.
The Hurricanes, who shot just 29 percent in the first half, endured multiple scoreless droughts, including one in the second quarter that allowed Oklahoma State to build a 37-20 halftime lead.
But the double-digit deficit did little to faze Miami in the second half.
“In the locker room, we talked a lot about sticking together as a team and not going down without a fight,” Roberts said. “We came out in the second half a lot more calmminded and we came out with a lot more aggression and played a lot more like a team.
“We pressured the ball, we pushed the ball and we did what we’re great at.”
Said Cavinder: “It was so fun. I think that’s why you play the game. Coming here, that was the goal, to get to March Madness and be able to advance. Just taking in this moment, being present ... to have our team just come back, stay together and get the dub, it was perfect.”
No. 8 USF 67, No. 9 Marquette 65 (OT): Elena Tsineke’s jumper with 31.2 seconds left lifted eighth-seeded South Florida to a 67-65 overtime win over ninth-seeded Marquette in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s Greenville 1 Regional on Friday in Columbia, S.C.
No. 10 Georgia 66, No. 7 Florida State 54: The Bulldogs opened the fourth quarter on a 12-0 run to take a 57-40 lead with 7:43 left and cruise into the second round for the third straight season behind Diamond Battles’ 21 points in Seattle Regional 4 on Friday night.
AAminutes against Drake, as did the freedom to make decisions when it mattered most. The Indiana kid stayed calm and came through in the clutch.
Another big test awaits Sunday night at MVP Arena (8:40 p.m., TNT).
The Hurricanes say they are ready.
“The focus is Trayce Jackson-Davis and not letting him be so comfortable at what he does so great,” said UM guard Bensley Joseph. “Then, looking out and closing out on their shooters from the perimeter and their freshman guard, Jalen Hood, he’s really good. We’ve been here before. We’ve battled teams like this. So, I feel like it’s just another day, another game to battle and advance.”
But for Pack, the Indiana kid who was overlooked by the Hoosiers, it will surely not be just another game.
Michelle Kaufman: 305-376-3438, @kaufsports