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Penn upsets Miami behind strong showings from Michael Wang, A.J. Brodeur

Penn got hot from three-point range to upend an ACC team for the first time since 2001.

Jake Silpe, left, of Penn celebrates as he runs off the court as Miami is forced to call a timeout in the final minutes. Penn defeated Miami 89-75 at the Palestra on Dec.. 4, 2018.
Jake Silpe, left, of Penn celebrates as he runs off the court as Miami is forced to call a timeout in the final minutes. Penn defeated Miami 89-75 at the Palestra on Dec.. 4, 2018.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

A good old-fashioned shootout was on display at the Palestra Tuesday night as Penn defeated Miami, 89-75.

Heading into the game, the Hurricanes had held opponents to 27.3 percent shooting from the three-point arc. But Penn got into an early groove from long distance and was in control for most of the game.

“I think going forward people are going to have to take notice. I think people are going to have to scout us more,” junior forward A.J. Brodeur said. “People are going to have to pay attention more and they’re just going to have to play better against us. We’re not going to be a team that people sleep on.”

The last time Penn beat an ACC team was in 2001 when the Quakers defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 79-74.

The Hurricanes were missing starting forward Dewan Hernandez, who has not played this season as he is linked to an ongoing NCAA investigation of shoe companies’ influence on college basketball.

Penn got off to a quick start with junior Devon Goodman and freshman guard Bryce Washington knocking down three-pointers. The long-range barrage continued with freshman forward, Michael Wang hitting four three-pointers in the first half as the Quakers took a 14-point lead at the intermission.

“We work on our shots every day, and I spend extra time in the gym all the time, so that’s just hard work,” Wang said.

In the second half, the Quakers turned to their inside game as Brodeur and Wang combined to score 14 points in the paint.

But Penn hit a scoring drought with eight minutes left to play, and as they would go over four minutes without a field goal. That was due in part to the Hurricanes switching from a zone defense to man-to-man. The Quakers, however, recovered and ended the game on a 10-2 run.

Goodman finished with 16 points, converting 6 of 10 treys , while Wang was 9 of 12 from downtown for 23 points. He also had four assists.

Based on Tuesday’s performance, Quakers coach Steve Donahue is likely to incorporate Wang more into his rotations.

“I don’t think there is any question Mike’s going to be a big part of us becoming better if we’re going to win a championship," Donahue said. "Michael has an incredible future ahead of him, for a lot of reasons. He’s dedicated to his craft. He’s got an incredible work ethic. He’s got a great attitude about being a great teammate and the moment is never too big for him.”

Penn will face Big Five foes La Salle on Saturday followed by Villanova next Tuesday.