In a dramatic ACC tournament quarterfinal, Malik Reneau’s 24 points and critical second-half plays propelled Miami to a 78-73 victory over No. 24 Louisville, avenging a weekend loss and securing a semifinal berth against Virginia.
Malik Reneau delivered a star-making performance, scoring 24 points to lead the Miami Hurricanes past the No. 24 Louisville Cardinals 78-73 in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament quarterfinals on Thursday. The victory marked a significant reversal from Saturday’s regular-season finale, where Louisville won 92-89 to knock Miami out of the Top 25 Field Level Media.
Beyond Reneau’s scoring, Miami’s (25-7) third-seeded victory was fueled by crucial bench production. Tru Washington erupted for 17 points off the bench, while Tre Donaldson added 14 points and six assists Field Level Media. This depth proved vital against a Louisville squad that struggled with efficiency and turnovers.
Key Factors in Miami’s Victory
- Bench Impact: Washington’s 17 points included a game-sealing steal and two free throws with one second left on the clock, swinging momentum decisively.
- Turnover Battle: Miami committed only eight turnovers compared to Louisville’s 13, a critical edge in a tight contest Field Level Media.
- Clutch Execution: Reneau scored in the lane with one minute remaining to give Miami a 71-68 lead, then sank two late free throws to seal the outcome.
- Defensive Resilience: Despite Louisville shooting 56% in the first half, Miami held the Cardinals to 38-37 halftime lead and forced poor three-point shooting (6-for-24, 25%) Field Level Media.
For No. 24 Louisville (23-10), the loss exposed persistent offensive issues. Ryan Conwell led the Cardinals with 22 points but went a dismal 1-for-10 from three-point range, while J’Vonne Hadley contributed 19 points and reserve Khani Rooths added 11 Field Level Media. Louisville’s inability to sustain first-half shooting (56%) and their 25% accuracy from deep ultimately doomed their chances.
The game’s pivotal sequence unfolded with one minute remaining. After Reneau’s basket put Miami up 69-68, Washington’s steal on the inbounds pass and immediate foul drew two made free throws, turning a one-point lead into a 71-68 advantage in a single second of game time. Reneau later extended the lead with two more free throws, and Washington finished one point shy of his season high Field Level Media.
Earlier, back-to-back baskets from Washington had pushed Miami to a 53-44 edge with less than 14 minutes left. Conwell responded with seven points during a 10-2 Louisville spurt that closed the gap to 63-62, setting the stage for the frantic finish Field Level Media.
NCAA Tournament Implications and Lingering Questions
The win propels Miami into a semifinal showdown with second-seeded and No. 10 Virginia, who advanced with an 81-74 victory over North Carolina State earlier Thursday. For Louisville, the loss raises fresh concerns about their March Madness readiness despite a 3-1 record in the four games since sidelining injured freshman standout Mikel Brown Jr. Field Level Media.
Louisville’s reliance on Conwell’s scoring was evident, but his poor three-point shooting (1-for-10) highlights a vulnerability that could be exploited in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Miami’s ability to win with Reneau scoring and Washington sparking the bench demonstrates the balanced attack that often translates to postseason success.
This reversal of Saturday’s result underscores the volatile nature of conference tournament play. Miami not only avenged a crushing loss that had dropped them from the Top 25 but also sent a message to the rest of the ACC that their depth and clutch execution make them a formidable threat. Louisville, meanwhile, must quickly regroup as they await their NCAA Tournament seeding, with Brown Jr.’s health remaining a pivotal unknown.
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