UM Women's Basketball Squeeze the Orange

Feb. 26, 2000

CORAL GABLES, FL – A layup by Alicia Hartlaub followed by two good free throws by Gina Graziani in the final minute of the game gave the Hurricanes their sixth BIG EAST win of the year. The University of Miami women’s basketball team (12-14, 6-9 BIG EAST) defeated Syracuse (10-16, 3-12 BIG EAST), 66-64, on Saturday at the Knight Sports Complex on the Coral Gables campus.

The Hurricanes led for the entire first half, shooting 14-for-30 from the floor and took a 21-19 lead into halftime. UM maintained the lead through the first nine minutes of the second stanza before SU’s Shannon Perry hit a jumper to take a 49-48 lead, the Orangewomen’s first of the game, at the 10:33 mark. Syracuse then extended that lead to as many as five points before a Sheila James steal and layup gave the `Canes a 60-59 advantage. SU tied the game twice in the waning minutes but were unable to regain an advantage as Hartlaub and Graziani sealed the win.

Hartlaub led three Hurricanes in double figures with 19 points. Junior Dalia Clarke fell one rebound short of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. Graziani finished with 15 markers and seven assists. The senior captain is now only five assists short of tying the BIG EAST career assist record of 471 held by former Providence player Shayna Evans.

Syracuse was led by Shannon Perry’s 15 points followed Jamie James (12) and Beth Record (11).

The Hurricanes will host the final game of the regular season on Tuesday, February 29. The game also marks “Senior Night” and the final home game of Graziani’s career. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, call 1-800-GO-CANES.