Lykes leads Miami to season-opening win over Lehigh, 83-62

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) Chris Lykes scored a career-high 22 points as Miami opened its season with an 83-62 victory over Lehigh Friday night.

The Hurricanes built an 18-point lead midway through the first half then withstood a Mountain Hawks rally that cut Miami's advantage to 53-47 with 12:24 remaining in the second half.

Lykes scored five unanswered points on a 3-pointer and two free throws and Anthony Lawrence's layup stretched Miami's late to 60-47.

Lawrence finished with a double-double 19 points and 12 rebounds and DJ Vasiljevic scored 16 points for Miami. Sam Waardenburg and Ebuka Izundu also scored in double figures for the Hurricanes with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Lance Tejada scored 19 points for Lehigh (1-1).

Miami forward Dewan Hernandez, the team's top returning scorer, 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.

Hernandez, who officially changed his last name from Huell during the offseason, declared for the 2018 NBA draft but did not retain an agent. Hernandez withdrew from the draft to return to Miami for his junior season.

BIG PICTURE:

Lehigh: The Mountain Hawks are 1-6 against ACC teams since 2011-12. After a 75-70 upset of Duke in the 2012 NCAA tournament, Lehigh has lost twice against Pittsburgh and Virginia and against Syracuse and Miami.

Miami: Lykes is expected to increase his offensive production 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.

UP NEXT:

Lehigh: The Mountain Hawks will play their home opener against Marist on Tuesday.

Miami: The Hurricanes face Stephen F. Austin Tuesday in their second of a season-starting three game home stretch.