CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Interstat) — The Miami Hurricanes used a dominant first-half start and a balanced offensive attack to cruise past the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks 104-79 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Watsco Center. Miami opened the game on a 17-2 run and never looked back, leading 49-38 at halftime before pulling away. Malik Reneau led the Hurricanes with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Tre Donaldson added 18 points and 11 assists, while Ernest Udeh had 14 points and 15 rebounds. Krystian Lewis scored 16 points for Louisiana-Monroe, which fell to 3-8. MJ Russell added 18 points. The Warhawks kept pace offensively but could not overcome Miami’s early surge or its 55-point second half. A crowd of 3,751 watched the Hurricanes cover a large pregame spread as the total score sailed over the projected line.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Interstat) — The Miami Hurricanes unleashed a devastating offensive display Saturday afternoon, overwhelming Louisiana-Monroe 104-79 in a nonconference men’s basketball game at the Watsco Center. From the opening tip, Miami’s efficiency was staggering. The Hurricanes scored on their first four possessions, capped by an alley-oop from Tre Donaldson to Ernest Udeh just five seconds into the game, setting a relentless tone. Miami shot 60% from the field for the game, posting an offensive rating of 142.3 points per 100 possessions. The Hurricanes assisted on 27 of their 42 made field goals and committed only eight turnovers. The Warhawks, despite a respectable offensive performance of their own with 111.8 points per 100 possessions and 15 made 3-pointers, could not keep pace. Miami’s size, speed, and shot-making created a deficit too large to overcome. The most critical sequence of the game came late in the first half, turning a competitive contest into a commanding Miami lead. With just over four minutes remaining before halftime and Miami leading 38-34, the Hurricanes closed the period on an 11-4 run. The surge was fueled by their defensive activity, which generated transition opportunities. A steal by Timotej Malovec led to a Tru Washington layup, and after a Louisiana-Monroe turnover, Washington drilled a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer off an assist from Malovec. That shot gave Miami a 49-38 advantage at the break, and the Hurricanes carried that momentum into a second half where they outscored the Warhawks 55-41. Malik Reneau led Miami with 22 points and 10 rebounds in just 25 minutes, showcasing his efficiency near the basket. He was complemented by a dominant double-double from Ernest Udeh, who had 14 points and 15 rebounds, and a masterful all-around game from point guard Tre Donaldson, who finished with 18 points and 11 assists. For Louisiana-Monroe, Lavell Brodnex recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, while MJ Russell and Krystian Lewis each scored 18 points. The Warhawks were hampered by a lack of ball movement, registering only two assists as a team. Miami improved to 9-2 on the season, continuing a strong start that includes wins in eight of its last nine games. Louisiana-Monroe fell to 3-8, having lost five of its last six contests against Division I opponents. The Hurricanes next host Florida International on Tuesday night. Louisiana-Monroe returns home to face South Alabama on Wednesday.

Preview: Louisiana-Monroe at No. -- Miami (Fla.) CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Interstat) — The Miami Hurricanes, riding a four-game winning streak, will look to continue their strong non-conference play when they host the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at Watsco Center on Saturday. Miami (8-2) has found its rhythm after a two-game skid in late November, most recently dispatching Southern Mississippi 88-64 on Dec. 6. The Hurricanes’ offense has been potent, averaging 83.2 points per game. Guard Shelton Henderson has been a steadying force, averaging 12.3 points and 3.4 assists. In the win over Southern Miss, the backcourt duo of Henderson (12 points, 4 assists) and Tre Donaldson (12 points, 11 assists) efficiently directed an attack that saw forward Malik Reneau add 21 points. The Warhawks (3-7) enter after a 79-69 home victory over Arkansas Baptist on Tuesday but have struggled against higher-caliber competition, including losses to Stephen F. Austin (96-76) and East Tennessee State (97-55). Their fortunes often hinge on the performance of forward Lavell Brodnex, who is coming off a dominant 22-point, 18-rebound effort against Ark. Baptist. Brodnex has scored 20 or more points in three of his last five games. However, Louisiana-Monroe’s defense, allowing 79.6 points per game, will be severely tested by Miami’s balanced scoring. The Warhawks are 0-5 on the road this season, with those losses coming by an average margin of 22.6 points. For Miami, this game serves as a final tune-up before Atlantic Coast Conference play begins later this month. The Hurricanes have excelled at home, winning all five contests in Coral Gables by an average of 31.4 points. The matchup to watch will be in the paint, where Brodnex’s rebounding prowess will challenge a Miami frontcourt led by Reneau. Containing Brodnex will be a key focus for a Hurricanes defense that has held opponents to 40.2% shooting from the field. This marks the first meeting between the programs. Miami is 6-0 all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Following this game, Miami will host Florida International on Tuesday, while Louisiana-Monroe travels to face South Alabama next Wednesday.