This was a game that both teams needed to win, and the Yellow Jackets were unable to put a complete game together to take it.
Coming into the game, the Jackets got some good news. All of their beat up players, especially Ben Lammers and Quinton Stephens, would be available. On the other hand, Miami announced a surprise suspension for their star guard Ja’Quan Newton. Early on in this game, it was the offenses that were stealing the show. Both teams traded baskets for a while, before the Hurricanes pulled away at the end of the half when their zone defense finally stymied the Yellow Jacket’s offense.