No Dewan Hernandez, no problem.
Chris Lykes to the rescue for the University of Miami.
Lykes opened his second season at “The U,” scoring a career-high 22 points as the Hurricanes defeated Lehigh 83-62 Friday night. Anthony Lawrence finished with a double-double 19 points, and 12 rebounds and DJ Vasiljevic scored 16 points for Miami.
Hernandez, the team’s top returning scorer and forward, did not play. According to a statement released by the university, Hernandez will be withheld from competition as the school, and the NCAA review his eligibility.
Hurricanes lead by as many as 18-points midway through the first half then stymied a Mountain Hawks rally that cut Miami’s advantage to 53-47 with 12:24 remaining in the second half.
“I don’t have any idea,” Miami coach Jim Larranaga said of Hernandez’s possible return. “We’re just waiting for his eligibility to be reviewed.”
The beat goes on.
Hernandez’s absence also resulted in additional playing time for redshirt freshman forward Deng Gak. Gak blocked three shots and finished with six rebounds in 14 minutes.
It is Lykes team after the departures of Lonnie Walker IV and Bruce Brown to the NBA. The sophomore guard attempted a career-high 17 shots in Friday’s opener.
“I feel more comfortable,” Lykes said. “These guys have trust in me same way I have trust in them.”
Lehigh will play their home opener against Marist on Tuesday.
Miami will face Stephen F. Austin Tuesday in their second of a season-starting three-game home opening stretch.
