ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic delivered a dramatic finish at the Kia Center on Friday night, edging the Miami Heat 106–105 in a nail-biting showdown sealed only after Bam Adebayo’s jumper at the buzzer bounced off the rim.

Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat, Kia Center. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Franz Wagner led the charge with a game-high 32 points, attacking the rim relentlessly and providing the offensive spark Orlando needed in the final minutes. Jalen Suggs added 22 points, including a critical late-game layup that gave the Magic a five-point cushion with just over a minute remaining.

The victory marks Orlando’s seventh win in its last nine outings, continuing a strong stretch as the team gains momentum heading into the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

Banchero Returns, Provides Boost

Paolo Banchero made his long-awaited return after missing 10 games with a strained left groin. Though limited to 20 minutes, he contributed nine points and six rebounds, giving the Magic additional inside presence and energy.

Desmond Bane struggled from the field, finishing with five points on 2-for-16 shooting, but Orlando’s defensive effort helped compensate for the off night.

Heat Rally Too Late

Miami nearly stole the game in the final seconds behind Norman Powell’s 28 points, including two late layups that brought the Heat within one. Adebayo added a strong double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds, but his potential game-winner fell short.

The Heat played without Tyler Herro, who suffered a right big toe injury earlier in the week. Miami has now lost three of its last four following a previous six-game winning streak.

Rematch on the Horizon

The Magic and Heat will meet again Tuesday night at the Kia Center in an NBA Cup quarterfinal showdown. With emotions high and both teams showing playoff-level intensity, another thriller may be on deck.

Up Next:
Heat: Host Sacramento on Saturday night.
Magic: Travel to New York to face the Knicks on Sunday.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

J Willie David, III | Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

The victory keeps the USWNT a perfect 18-0-0 all-time in Orlando and marks the team’s eighth win in nine matches under head coach Emma Hayes.

Moultrie gave the U.S. a quick lead just 67 seconds into the match, finishing a low cross from Rose Lavelle, who recorded her 27th career assist. The 20-year-old midfielder now has five international goals in 11 caps.

Despite Italy nearly equalizing on a ninth-minute corner attempt, the U.S. controlled the opening half with 69 percent possession and seven shots.

Macario doubled the lead in the 64th minute, taking a feed from Sam Coffey and striking a left-footed shot inside the far post. She extended the U.S. lead in the 76th minute, collecting a lofted pass from 18-year-old Lily Yohannes before curling in a right-footed finish to complete her brace. Macario now has seven goals in 2025 and 15 in 28 career international appearances.

Naomi Girma returned to the lineup after 149 days away from national-team duty, earning her 49th cap and captaining the side for the fourth time.

The match also marked first caps for forward Jameese Joseph and defender Kate Wiesner, while Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams entered to strong applause at her home stadium.

The two teams meet again Monday, Dec. 1, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with streaming available on TBS, HBO Max and Peacock.

______________________________________________________________________________

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – In Las Vegas on Friday night, the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles earned a statement 66–62 win over previously undefeated Stanford at the Resorts World Classic. After entering the matchup 0–4 all time against the Cardinal, FGCU punched back with an all-around performance to hand Stanford its first loss of the season and ignite major momentum early in the Raina Harmon era.

RECORDS: Florida Gulf Coast 2-3, 0-0 ASUN | Stanford 7-1, 0-0 ACC
SCORE: Florida Gulf Coast 66 | Stanford 62
LOCATION: Resorts World Events Center | Las Vegas, Nev.

First Quarter: FGCU opened with solid defensive intensity, contesting touches around the rim and forcing Stanford into tough looks. Cerina Rolle and Anna Mortag provided early offense, while Sinai Douglas pushed the tempo to keep the Eagles within arm’s reach. Stanford made just enough plays late in the frame to stay in front and took a narrow 15–14 lead after the opening 10 minutes.

Second Quarter: The Eagles settled in and began to control the tempo on both ends. Douglas connected on a midrange jumper to spark the offense, and Maca Retamales added timely attacks to the basket to keep the scoring balanced. FGCU’s defense held Stanford to just 10 points in the period, limiting second-chance opportunities and closing out possessions on the glass. A steady push to close the half sent the Eagles into the locker room with a 28–25 advantage.

Third Quarter: FGCU came out of halftime with one of its best offensive stretches of the early season, erupting for 26 points in the third quarter. Retamales caught fire from the perimeter, Mortag continued to score inside, and Douglas attacked downhill to keep Stanford on its heels. A highlight moment from the quarter came when Karina Gordon sank back-to-back-to-back three pointers to push the Eagles ahead by 11. Even as the Cardinal found more rhythm offensively, the Eagles matched them shot for shot and used a late surge to outscore Stanford 26–23 in the frame, stretching the lead to 54–48 heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter: With the game in the balance, FGCU showed composure and toughness on both ends. Douglas created key drives to the rim, Retamales stepped up with a big three, and the Eagles did their job at the free throw line. The Cardinal made a late push, but FGCU got the stops it needed and managed the clock down the stretch to close out a 66–62 win, handing the Cardinal their first loss of the season in a statement performance.

Head Coach Raina Harmon – “I am super proud of the team today. Our message to them was to focus for all 40 minutes, and we really challenged them coming into this trip. We’ve been playing well in the first half of games but slipping a bit in the third quarter, so we specifically challenged them to win that stretch, and they delivered with our best third quarter of the early season. I know it’s a big win because it’s good Stanford team and they came in undefeated, but what we did tonight is really a testament to the nonconference schedule we’ve taken on. It reflects the tough opponents we’ve already faced and the ones still ahead. I thought we did a fantastic job following the scouting report and trusting each other to execute offensively. I’m just super proud of them. Go Eagles!”

Forward Maca Retamales – “From beginning to end, we put together a really solid game. We came in well prepared, and that preparation showed in how we handled everything Stanford threw at us. Offensively, we moved the ball, stayed disciplined, and trusted our system. Everyone embraced their role tonight, and that’s what made the difference. We had each other’s backs from the opening tip, and it led us to this win.”

Maca Retamales – 14 PTS, 3 REB, 3 STL
Anna Mortag – 13 PTS, 4 REB, 1 BLK
Karina Gordon – 12 PTS, 1 REB, 1 BLK
Sinai Douglas – 10 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST
Cerina Rolle – 8 PTS, 6 REB, 2 STL

The Eagles are right back in action as they take on the Troy Trojans on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 10:30 p.m. as part of the Resorts World Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada.