Matthew Cleveland posted 16 points and a game-high-tying 10 rebounds in his Miami debut, leading the 13th-ranked Hurricanes past NJIT 101-60 on Monday in Coral Gables, Fla., in the season opener for both teams.
The Hurricanes, who made it to the NCAA Final Four last season, also got a career-high 21 points from Wooga Poplar and 20 points and 10 rebounds from Norchad Omier.
Poplar made 8 of 16 shots from the floor, including 5 of 9 from 3-point range. Omier made 8 of 11 shots, hitting both of his tries from beyond the arc. Last season, Omier made just five 3-pointers.
Miami trailed just once, 3-2, and that deficit lasted only 12 seconds.
Cleveland, a Florida State transfer, made 7 of 12 shots from the floor. He scored a bucket on his first touch as a Hurricanes player, and he also finished with four assists.
Nijel Pack — one of three returning Miami starters along with Poplar and Omier — had eight points and a game-high nine assists.
New Miami starter Bensley Joseph had nine points on 3-for-6 shooting from deep.
NJIT was led by Adam Hess, who had 14 points. He made 4 of 14 shots, including 3-of-10 3-point attempts. Hess was one of the best shooters in the nation last season, making 43.3 percent of his 3-point shots.
The game was the NJIT debut for coach Grant Billmeier, a New Jersey native who is back in his home state after serving as an assistant last season at Maryland.
Miami led 52-32 following a dominant first half, having shot 52.5 percent from the floor, including 8-for-18 (44.4 percent) from beyond the arc. The Hurricanes were also plus-6 on rebounds.
The Highlanders shot 33.3 percent from the floor, including 6-for-17 (35.3 percent) from 3-point range. They were minus-three on turnovers.
Miami was never seriously threatened in the second half.
For the game, Miami shot 54.2 from the floor, including 12-for-28 (42.9 percent) from deep.
NJIT hit 33.8 percent from the floor, including 9-for-30 (30 percent) on 3-point tries.
–Field Level Media
