McClellan Helps No. 17 Hurricanes Beat Florida 66-55
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
CORAL GABLES (AP) — Sheldon McClellan scored 24 points Tuesday, and No. 17 Miami overcame an off night offensively with scrappy defense in a 66-55 victory over rival Florida.
The Hurricanes held Florida to 39 percent shooting, including 1 for 12 from 3-point range. Miami shot a season-low 39 percent overall, but made 7 of 17 3-pointers and shot 79 percent from the free-throw line.
The Hurricanes (8-1) won their third straight game since losing at home to Northeastern. The Gators (6-2) lost to their instate rivals for the second consecutive year.
Tonye Jekiri, Miami's leading rebounder this season, went to the locker room after being shaken up when he fell under the basket. He missed eight minutes before returning early in the second half, and finished with nine points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Miami had a 42-31 edge on the boards.
Angel Rodriguez scored 17 points for Miami and had three steals. Depth has been a strength for the Hurricanes, but their reserves were outscored 10-3.
John Egbunu scored 14 for the Gators, who had two players foul out and never found their shooting touch. KeVaughn Allen scored with 5:51 left to cut Miami's lead to 56-46, but Florida didn't make another basket until only 1:38 remained.
The Gators' point total was a season low.
Both teams tried to make up for their offensive deficiencies with hustle. One sequence included a blocked shot by Miami and a prolonged scramble for the ball before the Hurricanes finally wrestled it away to start a fast break that ended with a layup by Davon Reed.
The sellout crowd of 7,972 included a large contingent of Florida fans. The teams, which have played each other only six times since 1991, have no more games scheduled in the series.
TIP-INS
Miami: New Hurricanes football coach Mark Richt drew a big ovation when he was introduced midway through the first half. "I came here tonight to support coach (Jim) Larranaga and the basketball team," Richt, a Miami alum, told the crowd. "I just also wanted to say I'm so thankful to be back home."
Florida: Starting guard Kasey Hill shot 1 for 7, committed three turnovers and fouled out.
UP NEXT
The Hurricanes host the College of Charleston on Dec. 19.
Florida visits No. 1 Michigan State on Saturday.
(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
