UPDATE: In a stunning comeback, the Miami Hurricanes defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers 76-69 in their Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opener on January 3, 2024. Malik Reneau exploded for 28 points, leading Miami to erase a significant 10-point halftime deficit in a thrilling game at home.
The Hurricanes, now 12-2 on the season and 1-0 in conference play, were down 43-33 at the half after Pittsburgh launched a shocking 20-0 run. However, Miami flipped the script in the second half, outscoring the Panthers 43-26, thanks to Reneau’s dominance in the paint and at the free-throw line, where he went a perfect 10 for 10.
Miami took its first lead of the second half on a layup by Tre Donaldson with 14:18 remaining. The team then went on an 8-0 run to secure the win, highlighted by another crucial layup from Reneau with 5:57 left on the clock.
Donaldson contributed significantly with 19 points, while Tru Washington added 11 points. The Hurricanes also showcased their rebounding prowess with a commanding 43-28 advantage on the boards. Despite struggling from beyond the arc, shooting 4 of 22 from three-point range, Miami capitalized at the charity stripe, finishing 20 of 26 from the free-throw line.
Pittsburgh’s Corhen led his team with 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Barry Dunning Jr. scored 16, and Damarco Minor added 14 points. The Panthers fell to 7-7 overall and 0-1 in the ACC, struggling to maintain their momentum after a strong first half.
Next up, Miami will travel to face Wake Forest on January 7, where they aim to extend their winning streak. With this thrilling victory, the Hurricanes have set the stage for an exciting conference season ahead.
