Los Hurricanes, Empanadas, & a Layup That Wouldn’t Fall

The Hurricanes came out in their Hispanic Heritage jerseys, and boy was it clean.

Or should I say… Los Hurricanes.

And rightfully so, because everyone inside of the Watsco got free empanadas. But I swear everybody in the building would’ve traded every last empanada for one damn bucket on the final possession. Instead, we got heartbreak, in a thrilling basketball game might I say. It sucks but this is what happened, with the game on the line, Tre Donaldson drove late and watched his layup rim out like the hoop had a personal vendetta. Then on the final possession, Shelton Henderson got all the way to the cup and missed the potential game-winner as time expired.

And just like that, the California Golden Bears, men’s basketball stole a road win in Coral Gables, 86–85.

The entire building made the same sound at once, it was just a sigh of like longing for another shot. A collective “Awww” that shook the roof of the Watsco Center, as Henderson missed his game-winner. On a positive note, this is entire basketball game was a dog fight but especially during the last five minutes of the game. The biggest lead in crunch time was basically two possessions. Cal hit a massive three with about three minutes left to go up one, and from there it was straight stress basketball. Back and forth. Punch for punch. Nobody blinked. Nobody pulled away.

Just hoops anxiety, and the crowd was READY.

It was Kids Day and the arena was packed with students, families, and kids screaming at literally everything including FTs, timeouts, and oxygen.

Scottie Pippen was in the building, Larsa Pippen was also in the the building to watch their son Justin Pippen. Mario Cristobal was there. Former Canes coach Jim Larrañaga was there. Even Will Manso pulled up. This was one of those rare days where Miami actually showed up for basketball. And the Canes once again walked into halftime down. This time though? Only one point.

Miami trailed 45–44 after Cal closed the half on a 9–2 run, capped by a big three from Dante Allen.

At the break, Henderson led the way with 12 points. Donaldson had 10. Allen already had eight and hit both of his three-point attempts.

Even down one, it felt like Miami had control.

Then the second half turned into a full-blown whistle festival.

Head coach Jai Lucas said the late-game free throw war wasn’t the plan.

“No, that wasn’t the idea at all,” Lucas said. “In the first half, both teams really got whatever they wanted offensively. In the second half we had a stretch where we guarded and built a cushion. Then the last eight or nine minutes it turned into a free throw battle. The fouls were being called everywhere. Kind of changed the game.”

Changed the game is polite.

It hijacked it.

The teams combined for 65 free throws. Miami missed some in brutal pockets, including a stretch where Lucas said they missed about five in a row.

 

“It drains you,” Lucas said. “It drains the team. It drains the momentum.”

In spite of all of that Miami looked like they were going to have the opportunity to win this game. Miami built a large lead of 11 points with under nine minutes. Most of those points were fueled by Malik Reneau, who went nuclear in the second half scoring 20 of his 24 points after halftime, bullying his way downhill and living at the rim.

The problem was that cal had their own flamethrower in John Camden who dropped a season-high 26 and hit tough shots like he was playing NBA Jam on fire.

 

“Once a guy gets going like that, it’s kind of tough,” Lucas said.

And Cal stayed composed.

Pippen controlled the game with 17 points and eight assists.

 

“I thought he ran the team,” Lucas said.

Then came the sequence nobody saw coming.

Enter: Manyiel Dut.The dude barely plays. But with Cal’s bigs in foul trouble, Dut was out there in crunch time and made the play of the game. He blocked Ernest Udeh Jr. at the rim, the ball went to Cal after review, and fifteen seconds later Dut scored the final points on a follow-up and suddenly Miami was chasing.

Cal missed free throws late. Miami got life.

And Miami got the exact shots every coach begs for.

 

“The last two plays, Tre’s and Sheldon’s,” Lucas said. “That’s all you can ask for. Layups at the rim. You’ve got to finish.”

Miami didn’t.

Cal escaped.

And Los Hurricanes went home with empanadas and pain.

Looking ahead, Lucas kept it real.

Miami has to guard the ball better. Defend without fouling. Because when teams match Miami at the free throw line, games turn into coin flips.

But the fight is there.

 

“The one thing about them,” Lucas said, “I know they’re going to compete and always give us a chance to win.”

And the freshman who took the final shot?

He’s part of the future.

“Development is a big piece,” Lucas said. “Shelton has added more to his game. Those turnarounds, posting him, shooting it better. He’s continued to get better.”

Saturday night, Henderson got to the rim when it mattered most.

Next time, that ball probably drops.

But on this night?

Los Hurricanes got empanadas…

And Cal got the win.

And somebody needs to put “finishing layups” at the top of the February menu.