Charleston, SC.-
In the second game of the 2024 Charleston Classic, we take things over to the losers bracket, where Miami faces off against Oklahoma State. The ‘Canes dropped game one of the tournament to a Drake squad who’s swiftly turned heads this weekend, and the Cowboys dropped game one to FAU.
Early in this afternoon’s contest, Miami got thrust into a 9-0 deficit that was NOT looking pretty. Shots weren’t falling, offense looked shaken, and Oklahoma State was hitting everything. Following a TV timeout, the U got things started offensively with two free throws from Matthew Cleavland, followed quickly by a deep 3-Pointer from Nijel Pack. The ‘Canes then continued the offensive action with a beautiful hook shot from Lynn Kidd and another three from Jalen Blackmon.
Ten minutes remaining in the half, Miami found themselves still down 20-11, following a 7-0 Ok. St. run. Just under eight minutes left in the half, right before a TV timeout, Miami and Ok. St. traded threes as Nijel Pack banged another corner logo ball followed up with a Brandon Newman corner shot for the Cowboys.
Over the next four minutes, shooting struggles resumed for the ‘Canes. While every shot kept bouncing right off the rim, Oklahoma State was automatic. The Pokes kept walking down corner threes and tough layups en route to a 35-18 lead. As time clicked away in the first half, it was clear that this was Oklahoma State’s ballgame. As time wound down in the first half, Miami trailed Oklahoma St. 43-27, as the Cowboys would snipe 8 triples in the first 20 minutes.
The first five minutes of the second half consisted of missed opportunities for both squads. No matter the shot look, neither team could hit a shot. Oklahoma State would take a 20 point lead over Miami, before another deep three ball from Pack, and two tough layups from Jalen Blackmon and Matthew Cleavland (55-42 OKST 11:52).
As time went on in the half, Oklahoma St. began the same cold shooting streak that they faced last night vs FAU. Miami capitalized as Paul Djobet hit a long triple, Divine Ugochukwu hit a tough layup and then Brandon Johnson threw down a slam.
The cold streak appeared up again for the Pokes, as Devo Davis launched a corner three to put things back closer to a 20 point lead, but Miami answered back with tough buckets from Cleavland and Kidd (73-62 OKST 3:14).
In the final minutes of the contest, Nijel Pack and Matthew Cleavland were able to draw two and-one plays, cutting the Ok St lead to 10. With :35 seconds remaining in the game, Nijel Pack drained another deep three, cutting things to single digits. Unfortunately for the ‘Canes, this was too little, too late, as Oklahoma State runs out the clock, defeating Miami 80-74.
Oklahoma State did just enough to keep a Miami resurgence at bay, securing their first win of the Charleston Classic.
Box Score:
Oklahoma St:
Bryce Thompson- 17 Points
Marchelus Avery- 15 Points, 8 Rebounds
Miami:
Nijel Pack- 20 Points, 4/7 3 PT, 4 Rebounds
Brandon Johnson- 12 Points, 10 Rebounds
Lynn Kidd- 10 Points
Cover Photo Credits: Miami Athletics
