Canes win first round game

Miami used a strong second half to be 10th seed and favorite St. Mary’s. With the opening round win the Canes advance to the round of 32 and will face Texas on Sunday at 2:15. Jack McClinton led all scorers with 38 points and was the only Cane to finish with double figures. Freshman Patrick Mills led St. Mary’s with 24 points.

The Canes played poorly in the first half, which has been an all too familiar trend for the Hurricanes this year. The game started off with an Anthony King basket and then St. Mary’s followed with a 9-0 run. The Canes responded with a 7-0 and then the teams continued to trade baskets until the score was tied at 19. St. Mary’s then hit two threes at the 3:48 mark and with McClinton scoreless at the time it appeared the Gaels were starting to take control.

On the next possession, Jack McClinton finally got his first NCAA tournament points when we made a lay-up. McClinton added 4 more points in the half , but the Gaels stayed in control and took a 32-27 lead into the half.

The Canes entered the half down 5 and then Jack McClinton took over like he has all season. The Miami shooting guard poured in 32 second half points and was the catalyst in a 25-5 Miami second half run that gave the Hurricanes a 14 point lead. The Canes were up 52-38 and the result was never in doubt after that point.

St.Mary’s was able to get it as close as 67-59 and then McClinton fired in another 3 that was the dagger in St. Mary’s tournament appearance. McClinton was sensational as his career high 38 points came on 12 of 18 shooting. He rebounded from a frustrating ACC tournament and showed the rest of the country why he earned All-ACC honors for his play this season.

James Dews and Jimmy Graham each added 9 points. Senior Anthony King and junior Lance Hurdle each added 7 points. Jimmy Graham’s 9 points do not tell the story and he has a major factor in the Canes victory. The junior power forward had 7 rebounds and 2 blocks and dominated the paint when he was in the game.

*The Canes had several players battling flu like symptoms through out the week. Jimmy Graham, Jack McClinton, and Brian Asbury were held out of practices because of it.