A Close Game That Went the Way of California

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Miami Hurricanes (17-5, 6-3 ACC) faced a tough loss at home against the California Golden Bears (16-6, 4-5 ACC), who came away with an 86-85 victory. The game was decided in the final moments when a last-second shot from Miami rimmed out, leaving the Canes to reflect on another close call.

As the crowd at Watsco Center grew, so did the stakes of the game. For Miami, this was an opportunity to regain momentum and secure three consecutive wins. However, the team found itself in yet another tight contest, where small margins made all the difference.

One of the key factors in the loss was Miami’s free-throw shooting. The Hurricanes struggled from the line, missing several crucial attempts that could have changed the outcome of the game. In contrast, California managed to capitalize on their chances, making the shots that mattered most.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams showcasing strong offensive performances. However, the defensive effort was lacking, partly due to Tru Washington being absent for personal reasons. After the game, head coach Jim Larranaga acknowledged the challenges of the first half.

“I felt the first half, we both teams really got whatever we wanted on the offensive side of the ball,” Larranaga said. “I thought in the second half, we had a stretch where it gave us some cushions, and then towards the end, like the last nine, eight minutes, it came off like a free-throw battle, and the fouls were just being called everywhere, kind of changed the game.”

Miami and Cal combined for 65 free throws throughout the game, highlighting how critical the free-throw line became. In the second half, the pace of the game slowed significantly, with both teams struggling to maintain their offensive rhythm.

At one point, Miami took a nine-point lead, but the Golden Bears fought back, eventually taking the lead with a three-pointer that put them ahead 82-81. The Hurricanes still had a chance to win, but two key shots from Tre Donaldson and Shelton Henderson both rimmed out.

After a missed shot and a failed rebound, John Camden missed two free throws, giving Miami a chance to take the lead on a fast break. However, Larranaga made a controversial decision to call a timeout, which ultimately cost the team the opportunity to score.

“You want to make sure you get a quality shot,” Larranaga said. “You want to make sure if something happens, you have a plan, like you foul right away, being next to you, maybe extend the game a little bit, you know, the situation would have been a free throw. If it was a turnover or something, I may not have called it, but would it be a mystery or that being able to get back and not have anybody on the line? I just kind of felt it was the best time.”

Henderson had a chance to dunk, but the timeout had already been called, and the game ended with Miami’s shot also rimming out.

The final margin came down to free-throw shooting, with Miami missing 10 shots compared to California’s eight. This small difference proved to be the deciding factor in the game.

Looking ahead, the Hurricanes will have a 10-day break before returning home to face No. 14 North Carolina. Before that, they will travel to Boston College on Feb. 7 for a matchup on the ACC Network.

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