Hurricanes Cruise by St. John’s, 83-51

Women's Basketball

Feb. 20, 1999

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Universityof Miami women’s basketball team(14-11, 9-8 BIG EAST) held St. John’s to 20 percent shooting in thesecondhalf en route to a 83-51 victory on senior day at the Knight SportsComplex.

Miami’s senior quartet ofKym Hope, Jennifer Jordan, CassaundraWimes and Beth Barnhart paced an efficient Hurricane offense that shot55percent from the field, the third time in four contests UM surpassed50percent shooting. Miami’s offense was also strong in the lowpost where itdoubled up on the Red Storm 40-20 in points scored in the paint.

The UM defense was justas vital, as it forced 25 St. John’sturnovers to a season-low eight by Miami. The turnover ratiowas crucialfor the Hurricanes as they scored 28 points off of the St. John’s miscues.UM also held St. John’s starters to just 15 points, including its leadingscorer Ebony Dickinson (17.1 ppg) to just two points.

Hope led the ‘Canes witha career-high tying 33 points, whilegrabbing 10 rebounds. The double-double marked her ninth on theseason.

Hope also had three blocked shots, three steals and three assists.Wimesfinished the game with 13 points, followed by Jordan’s 12 and Barnhart’snine.

St. John’s was led by reservecenter Christina Jorif’s 14 points andnine rebounds.

Miami never trailed in thegame and quickly jumped out to an 8-0lead following Jordan’s jumper at 15:31. St. John’s (11-17, 6-11BIG EAST)followed up with an 11-4 run over the next five minutes to bring thescoreto within one, 12-11, with 10:59 remaining in the first half.

The one-pointmargin was as close as the Red Storm would get in the game as UM respondedwith a 17-4 run of their own following Barnhart’s five-foot leanerat thesix minute mark.

The Hurricanes shot 55 percentin the first half on their way to a39-28 lead at the break.

Miami poured it on in thesecond half as its lead quickly grew to 2015:47 into the second half on Hope’s running jumper. Hope scored18 of her33 points in the second half. From that point, UM went on a 17-2run thatsaw it leads grow to 32, 70-38, with 4:31 remaining in the game.

Miami went to its benchfor the final few minutes as UM held on toits largest margin of victory over St. John’s in the past 17 meetings,83-51.

UM next travels to No. 9Notre Dame for a Tuesday, Feb. 23 meetingat 7 p.m. at the Joyce Center.