Brown's Career Game Lifts UM, 62-49

No Reggie Johnson? No problem.

The University of Miami (10-3, 1-0) opened their ACC schedule on Saturday with a 62-49 win at Georgia Tech without their center.

In front of his hometown crowd, backup guard Rion Brown scored a career high 22 points against the schools his father, Tico Brown once starred for. Brown was an efficient 9-of-11 from the field in just 23 minutes.

The Hurricanes jumped out to a 33-23 lead at halftime as Brown got off to a hot start, scoring 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting. Miami put Georgia Tech away in the second half as they forced the Yellowjackets to shoot 35-percent from the field. Miami led by as much as 62-39 with four minutes remaining.

Miami coach Jim Larranaga announced last week that Johnson would miss 6-8 weeks with a sprained left thumb that he sustained during practice at the Diamondhead Classic in Hawaii.

Johnson's big presence was not missed on Saturday against Georgia Tech. Miami won the battle of the boards over the Yellowjackets, 40-29, and the Hurricanes blocked five shots while Georgia Tech finished with two blocks.

Starting forward Kenny Kadji finished the game with 11 points and 14 rebounds while blocking two shots. Julian Gamble totaled seven points with seven rebounds.

Miami will travel to take on North Carolina this Thursday at 7 PM EST.