Miami fights again late to keep away from upset towards Drake

Nijel Pack scored 21 factors — together with the go-ahead jumper and a pair of free throws within the last minute — to rally No. 5 seeded Miami previous Drake 63-56 within the first spherical of the NCAA Tournament Friday night time.

The Hurricanes (26-7) scored the ultimate 10 factors barely getting previous Twelfth-seeded Drake solely a 12 months after reaching the Elite Eight.

Norchad Omier added 12 factors and 14 rebounds for the Hurricanes, who received regardless of being held to a season-low 63 factors. Wooga Poplar had 15 factors.

Darnell Brodie had 20 factors and 9 rebounds to guide Drake (27-8). The Missouri Valley Conference match champions had been outscored 16-1 over the ultimate 4:29 and 10-0 within the final 2:28. The Bulldogs missed their final seven pictures from the sector and had been scoreless the ultimate 3:24.

Nijel Pack #24 of the Miami Hurricanes handles the ball towards the Drake Bulldogs throughout the first half throughout the first spherical of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023, in Albany, New York.  (Isaiah Vazquez/NCAA Photos through Getty Images)

Mo Valley Player of the Year Tucker DeVries, whose father is the coach, scored three factors on 1 of 13 capturing.

Miami will face the sport winner between fourth-seeded Indiana (22-11) and Thirteenth-seeded Kent State within the second spherical of the Midwest Region.

Brodie tied the sport at 47 with a free throw, after which Calhoun hit two consecutive 3-pointers in an 8-0 run that Roman Penn capped with a jumper for a 55-47 lead with 5:40 to go.

Nijel Pack #24 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after a basket within the second half towards the Drake Bulldogs throughout the first spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023, in Albany, New York. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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Miami, which solely made 17 subject objectives within the recreation, discovered a option to choose up its protection and make issues occur. Pack began the rally with a jumper and Poplar hit two free throws and a jumper to shut the deficit to 55-53 with 3:34 to play.

After Penn scored the Bulldogs’ last level on a free throw with 3:24 left Jordan Miller hit two free throws, and Bensley Joseph made one to tie the competition at 56 with 2:20 to play.

Pack, who was 7 of 15 from the sector, put Miami forward for good along with his jumper off a turnover.

The Miami Hurricanes huddle towards the Drake Bulldogs throughout the second half throughout the first spherical of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023, in Albany, New York.  (Isaiah Vazquez/NCAA Photos through Getty Images)

BIG PICTURE:

Drake: The Bulldogs had this one received till they bought ice-cold on the finish.

Miami: The Hurricanes seemed disconnected offensively all night time, however they should enhance to get again to a different Elite Eight.