Field Level Media
Feb 21, 2023
Norchad Omier pounded for 17 points and 14 rebounds as No. 13 Miami pulled an inside job to win its seventh straight game, beating Virginia Tech 76-70 on Tuesday in Blacksburg, Va.
Nijel Pack added 16 points and Isaiah Wong had 13 points as Miami (23-5, 14-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) completed a season sweep of Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes' seven-game string is bookended by wins over the Hokies.
Jordan Miller also thrived in the paint for Miami with 11 points and nine rebounds as the Hurricanes won the battle of the boards 39-31. Bensley Joseph added 10 points as five Miami players reached double figures.
The Hurricanes gained their biggest lead, 57-47, midway through the second half before holding off the rallying Hokies.
Virginia Tech (16-12, 6-11) was gunning for its third streak-busting win this month at home after ending a seven-game run by Virginia and a six-game streak of Pitt on Saturday. The Hokies have alternated wins and losses for eight games.
On a night when he went over the 1,000-point mark for his career, the Hokies' Hunter Cattoor finished with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists. Sean Pedulla and Grant Basile contributed 17 and 13 points, respectively, for Virginia Tech.
Cattoor sliced Miami's lead to 61-58 when he hit his fourth of five 3-pointers with 5:53 left. However, Pack answered on the ensuing possession with a trey.
Down the stretch, Miami got layups on consecutive possessions by Miller and Omier to go up 68-60 with 1:57 left. Then in the final 41 seconds, Joseph made 4 of 4 free throws and Pack tacked on a pair as the Hurricanes sewed it up.
Leading the ACC in points per game, Miami got off to a slow start, missing its first five shots and committing two turnovers before getting on the scoreboard.
However, it didn't take long for the Hurricanes to get into high gear. Down 17-8, they went on a 14-2 run with Omier supplying three layups. Pack and Joseph added 3-pointers as Miami took a 22-19 lead.
--Field Level Media