Miami Hurricanes – Men’s Basketball Team Rallies Late to Defeat Syracuse (82-78), Norchad Omier’s Second-Half Performance the Difference

The University of Miami men’s basketball team rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half to top Syracuse, 82-78, Monday night at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. Head coach Jim Larranaga recorded his 110th win in the ACC Conference and would tie for tenth in all-time wins in the ACC.

Third-year sophomore forward and LifeWallet NIL Athlete Norchad Omier notched a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double for No. 17/16 Miami (14-4, 5-3 ACC) and helped Canes Hoops sustain their undefeated record at home this season. 

“Everybody knows he has tremendous energy, and plays the game with such enthusiasm and plays the game with reckless abandon,” said head coach Jim Larranaga on Omier’s performance.

Fourth-year junior guard Harlond Beverly recorded 16 points, while the Hurricanes pulled off their third double-digit comeback of the year.

“I think his teammates are really cheering for him… In his case, in the month of January he has been far more productive. He is going to give us great effort on both ends of the floor,” said Larranaga on Beverely’s steadily improving performance coming off of injury.

The Hurricanes shot 89.3 percent (25-of-28) from the free-throw line and their bench would out score Syracuse’s bench with a 24-14 margin, as well as an 18-8 differential in fast-break points. The Canes would score 48 points in the second half of the victory.

Norchad Omier’s 16 rebounds were the most by a Hurricanes player since February 19th, 2020, and the most by a Miami player since November 13th, 2018.

Beverly’s 16 points were the second-most of his career, he would shoot 8-of-8 at the foul line to tie his career high in free throws made. His two shots from the line with three seconds left would be the dagger. Third-year sophomore guard and LifeWallet NIL Athlete Nijel Pack, would eclipse over 1000 points scored in his collegiate career, he scored 15 points on 5-of-9 3-point shooting, while fifth-year senior guard and LifeWallet NIL Athlete Jordan Miller turned out 13 points and seven rebounds.

The Hurricanes square off against the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN at 12:00 PM EST.