Nigel Pack scored 21 points – including a go-ahead jumper and a pair of free throws in the final minute – to rally No. 5 Seeded Miami Defeated Drake 63-56 in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday night.
The Hurricanes (26-7) scored the last 10 points barely a year after routing 12th-seeded Drake. elite eight,
Norchard Omier added 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Hurricanes, who won despite scoring a season-low 63 points. Vouga Poplar had 15 points.
Darnell Brody had 20 points and nine rebounds to lead Drake (27-8). The defending Missouri Valley Conference tournament champions were outscored 16–1 in the last 4:29 and 10–0 in the last 2:28. The Bulldogs missed their last seven shots from the field and remained scoreless for the final 3:24.
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Nigel Pack #24 of the Miami Hurricanes handles the ball against the Drake Bulldogs during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York. (Isaiah Vazquez/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Mo Valley Player of the Year Tucker Davis, whose father is the coach, made three points on 1-of-13 shooting.
In the second round of the Midwest Region, Miami will face the winner between fourth-seeded Indiana (22-11) and 13th-seeded Kent State.
Brodie tied the game at 47 with a free throw, and then Calhoun hit two consecutive 3-pointers in an 8–0 run, which Roman Penn capped with a jumper with 5:40 left in the half for the lead. Did.
Nigel Pack #24 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates after a basket in the second half against the Drake Bulldogs during the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York. (Rob Carr / Getty Images)
Miami, which only made 17 field goals in the game, found a way to defend and make things happen. The Pack started the rally with a jumper and Popler hit two free throws and a jumper to close the deficit to 55–53 with 3:34 to play.
Jordan Miller hit two free throws with 3:24 left after Penn scored the Bulldogs’ final points on a free throw, and Bensley Joseph made it to tie it at 56 with 2:20 to play.
Pack, who was 7 of 15 from the field, put Miami ahead for good with his jumper off of the turnover.
The Miami Hurricanes huddle against the Drake Bulldogs during the second half during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023 in Albany, New York. (Isaiah Vazquez/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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big picture:
Drake: The Bulldog Had it won’t last until they were ice-cold at the end.
Miami: The Hurricanes looked offensively disconnected all night, but they will need to improve to get back to another Elite Eight.