Miami looks to win its second straight game in a nonconference matchup with Delaware State on Sunday afternoon in Coral Gables, Fla.
The Hurricanes (4-1) nearly hit the century mark Thursday night in their 99-72 victory over Elon to bounce back from a loss to Florida.
Tru Washington led the way for coach Jai Lucas’ squad by notching 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Hurricanes turned a seven-point halftime lead into a blowout with a 51-31 scoring edge in the second half.
The Hurricanes shot 54.4% from the field and won the rebound battle 38-22 over the Phoenix.
Malik Reneau had a game-high 19 points for Miami. Lucas said he will turn to his 6-foot-9 senior to put points on the board.
“Malik, I feel just moving forward will be our leading scorer,” Lucas said after losing to the Florida Gators 82-68 in Jacksonville last Sunday. “Part of that is just the position he’s in at the four, and being a bigger four, and just the advantage, and the mismatches they have on a daily basis.”
Reneau, a Miami native who came home after spending three years at Indiana, averages 21 points and seven rebounds for the Hurricanes, while Michigan transfer Tre Donaldson produces 16 points and 5.8 assists per game. Washington averages 14.8 points.
Miami has gone 4-0 at home and shoots 51.3% from the field for the season.
The Hornets (2-4) lost four buy games to start this season, but they have rebuilt a bit of confidence with home victories over non-Div. I Cheyney (Pa.) and Kean.
Guard Ponce James tops the MEAC school with 13.5 points and 4.5 assists per game. Senior forward Miles Webb averages 10 points and a team-high 5.3 rebounds
At home on Thursday, James sank a buzzer-beating layup in the final second to beat Kean 66-64 as the Hornets ended the game on a 14-2 run.
James finished with 17 points and three assists as the Hornets dished out 17 helpers, won the rebound margin 34-33 and forced 13 turnovers. They also outscored the Cougars 40-26 in the paint.
