The contest, played at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, was the opener of the Paradise Jam college basketball tournament at the city's UVI Sports and Fitness Center.

Lance Hurdle's three-pointer at the buzzer ending the first half gave Miami a 36-24 bulge. USM started quickly in the second 20 minutes and came within 41-37 before the winners raced to a 56-42 lead with 7:47 remaining on two free throws by James Dews.

UM led by double digits from that point.

Both Hurdle and Jack McClinton scored 13, and Collins added nine rebounds for the Hurricanes (2-0), who won the tournament in 2001.

USM was led by Jeremy Wise with 21 points and four assists. Courtney Beasley had 14 points and three rebounds, while Cory Smith added 10 points with six rebounds for the Golden Eagles (2-1).