College basketball

'Canes duo thwart FSU

By wire services
Published January 30, 2006

	[AP photo]
	Miami's Anthony Harris, who scored 13, drives past FSU's Alexander Johnson during the second half.

TALLAHASSEE - The dynamic duo of Robert Hite and Guillermo Diaz did it again for Miami, although the high-scoring guard tandem had to work overtime, before and during the game, to put away Florida State.

Hite scored eight of his season-high 31 in overtime, including a three-point play that put the Hurricanes ahead for good with less than three minutes left Sunday in Miami's 84-78 victory.

Miami didn't seal the deal until Diaz, who had 24 points, hit a 3-pointer with a second on the shot clock and 18 seconds left after the Seminoles had gotten within 79-78.

"I knew when it was in, the game was over," Diaz said. "When I got the ball I knew there was five seconds on the shot clock. I knew I had to make a quick play, and I did."

Diaz led Miami with 16.2 points per game going in, and Hite was right behind him at 15.8.

"It was big for us getting a road win coming off two losses," Hite said. "You love to have games like this."

Miami (12-8, 4-3 ACC) lost 65-61 to Boston College and 71-51 to Virginia in its previous two games.

"Give Rob (Hite) a lot of credit," Miami coach Frank Haith said. "He's taken time to shoot some extra shots (in practice). He and Diaz both. It pays off."

Anthony Harris was the only other Miami player in double figures with 13.

"Diaz and Hite were too much for us today," FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said. "When the game was on the line, I think they made a few more plays than we did."

FSU (12-5, 3-4) has had a series of close losses in conference play. Its other ACC defeats have been by one, three and six points.

The Hurricanes shut out Al Thornton, FSU's leading scorer, who was slowed by a knee injury sustained in the first half. Jason Rich led FSU with 20 points and Alexander Johnson and Todd Galloway, who was recovering from a turned ankle, had 17.

The Hurricanes took a 69-67 lead with 3.2 seconds left in regulation when reserve forward Raymond Hicks put back a missed shot by Diaz. FSU forced the overtime when Rich lobbed an inbounds pass to Johnson, who put in layup with .1 second left, tying it at 69.

[Last modified January 30, 2006, 04:48:38]