Norchad Omier helps Miami hold off Pittsburgh with 72-68 win

Norchad Omier scored 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had a key block in the closing seconds as the Miami Hurricanes held on for a 72-68 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Wooga Poplar and Nijel Pack each scored 17 points while Kyshawn George chipped in 11 for the Hurricanes, who have won consecutive games for the first time this month.

Matthew Cleveland (hip) did not play after sustaining an injury on Wednesday at Notre Dame. 

Miami (14-6, 5-4 ACC) led by as many as 19 points in the second half and had an 11-point lead with 3 ½ minutes left before it dwindled to two in the final minute.

Pittsburgh (12-8, 3-6) had a chance to go ahead with two seconds left, but Jaland Lowe’s 3-point attempt was blocked by Omier, who stayed straight up and affected Lowe’s potential winner.

George corralled the rebound, was fouled, and hit two free throws to seal the game for the Hurricanes.

The Panthers were led by Blake Hinson’s 21 points.

Following a pair of free throws by Lowe to cut Miami’s lead to 68-65 with 1:23 left, Poplar drilled a 16-footer on the ensuing possession, which proved to be the difference in the game.

Lowe followed with a 3 and Poplar missed one before Lowe’s final shot attempt was stopped by Omier.

Miami shot 44.4 percent (28 of 63) from the floor and hit 10 3-pointers on 31 attempts as Poplar and George each hit three while Omier and Pack each added a pair.

Both teams avoided turnovers with Miami having just eight and Pittsburgh had four

Miami jumped out to a 12-5 lead and led 40-29 at the break, sparked by a 17-2 run at one point.

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Miami plays at NC State on Tuesday (9:00 p.m., ESPN2).

Christopher Stock has covered the Miami Hurricanes since 2003 and can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] and on Twitter @InsideTheU