Hurricanes defeat Drake 63-56 in NCAA tournament

Nijel Pack scored 21 points — including the go-ahead jumper and a pair of free throws in the final minute — to rally No. 5 seeded Miami past Drake 63-56 in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday night.

The Hurricanes (26-7) scored the final 10 points in just barely getting past 12th-seeded Drake just a year after reaching the Elite Eight.

Norchad Omier added 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Hurricanes, who won despite being held to a season-low 63 points. Wooga Poplar had 15 points.

Miami forward Norchad Omier (15) is defended by Drake forward Nate Ferguson during the second... — Miami forward Norchad Omier (15) is defended by Drake forward Nate Ferguson during the second half of a first-round game in the men's NCAA tournament Friday, March 17, 2023, in Albany, N.Y.(Hans Pennink | AP)

Darnell Brodie had 20 points and nine rebounds to lead Drake (27-8). The Missouri Valley Conference tournament champions were outscored 16-1 over the final 4:29 and 10-0 in the last 2:28. The Bulldogs missed their last seven shots from the field and were scoreless the final 3:24.

Missouri Valley Player of the Year Tucker DeVries, whose father is the coach, scored three points on 1 of 13 shooting.

Miami will face the winner of the game between fourth-seeded Indiana (22-11) and 13th-seeded Kent State in the second round of the Midwest Region.

Associated Press 2023