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'Canes romp into first-place tie

 
Published March 3, 2016

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Angel Rodriguez got seventh-ranked Miami going quickly against Notre Dame.

After Tonye Jekiri missed a basket inside, Rodriguez drove into the paint for a layup on Miami's second possession. Then he did it again. Then, when he looked as if he would do it again, he fired a bounce pass to Sheldon McClellan, who turned it into a three-point play.

The Hurricanes took a 12-0 lead, quickly extended it to 21-3 and cruised to a 68-50 victory Wednesday night to move back into a tie with North Carolina for first place in the ACC as Rodriguez matched his season high with 19 points.

"He's the catalyst," Miami coach Jim Larranaga said. "A catalyst is someone who makes things happen. They don't wait for things to happen. He does it with his defense. He does it with his ball handling. He does it with his shooting. When he's in control, our whole team seems to function better."

Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said the Hurricanes, who have manhandled the Irish twice this season, are the best team his club has faced.

"They may win the national championship," he said. "They're really good. They're really old. Their men were playing against our boys most of the night."

Miami (24-5, 13-4) held the Fighting Irish (19-10, 10-7) to a season-low 34 percent shooting as Notre Dame struggled offensively for the fourth straight game, three of them losses.

NO. 2 MICH. ST. 97, RUTGERS 66: Bryn Forbes scored a career-high 33 and hit a conference record 11 3-pointers as the visiting Spartans (25-5, 12-5 Big Ten) woke up in the second half to win their fifth straight and ninth in 10 games.

NO. 9 OREGON 76, UCLA 68: Tyler Dorsey scored 20 for the visiting Ducks (24-6, 13-4 Pac-12), who rallied in the second half to clinch at least a share of the conference title for the first time since 2002.

NO. 10 W. VA. 90, TEXAS TECH 68: Jaysean Paige had 15 points and five assists, and Daxter Miles scored all of his 15 points on 3-pointers for the host Mountaineers (23-7, 12-5 Big 12), who retained sole possession of second place in the conference behind Kansas.

UCF 73, TULANE 65: Tacko Fall had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the host Knights (12-16, 6-11 AAC), who snapped a seven-game losing streak.

SSC TOURNEY: Drushaun McLaurn had 17 points to lead six players in double figures as second-seeded host Eckerd beat No. 7 Florida Tech 95-70. The Tritons (23-6) face sixth-seeded Lynn on Saturday. Marcus Dewberry had 26 points as No. 4 host Saint Leo defeated No. 5 Nova Southeastern 82-73. The Lions (19-10) face top-seeded Barry on Saturday. Saint Leo's Tom Ryan was named SSC coach of the year for the third time. Dewberry made the All-SSC first team, and Tampa guard Pat Bacon was named freshman of the year.

MARQUETTE: Star forward Henry Ellenson is day to day with a sprained left ankle.

Women

SSC TOURNEY: Juliana Cavallaro had 22 points and made five 3-pointers as fifth-seeded host Tampa defeated fourth-seeded Barry 64-55. The Spartans (17-12) face top-seeded Nova Southeastern on Saturday. No. 2 seed host Florida Tech defeated No. 7 Eckerd (12-14) 70-62. Cavallaro made first team All-SSC for the second straight year. Saint Leo forward Chelsy Springs was named newcomer of the year.