Brent Bland hits 8 threes off the bench as No. 17 Miami sets a school 3-point record
Brent Bland came off the bench and torched North Alabama on Friday night, scoring 26 points in just 20 minutes with a career-high eight 3-pointers as No. 17 Miami rolled to a 94-52 win at home in Coral Gables.
Bland, a fifth-year graduate transfer from Saint Peter's, knocked down his first five 3s during a 22-2 run midway through the first half that broke the game open. Fellow reserve Nick Dorn added 18 points, all on 3s, and went 6 for 12 from long range. Shelton Henderson finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Hurricanes (3-1).
The barrage was efficient and historic. Miami went 20 of 47 from beyond the arc, breaking the program record of 18 set against Coppin State on Dec. 21, 2019. Bland shot 8 of 13 from deep on his own.
A record night with a worrying exit
The Hurricanes had made just 14 3-pointers over their first three games combined, then knocked down 13 in the first half alone to lead 54-26 at the break. Dante Allen orchestrated it all with 12 assists and six rebounds off the bench, and Miami racked up 27 assists while outscoring the Lions 19-9 on fast breaks.
The one sobering note came from Malik Reneau, Miami's leading scorer last season, who was held scoreless and left midway through the first half with a shoulder injury and did not return.
Cortez Graham-Howard led North Alabama (2-2) with 10 points. It was the first ever meeting between the programs and a homecoming for Lions coach Tony Pujol, who grew up in Miami and began his coaching career at the high school level there, where he won three state championships.
Miami hosts Rider on Tuesday, while North Alabama hosts Fisk on Monday.
