Women's Basketball Trounces Pittsburgh, 80-60
Feb. 29, 2000
CORAL GABLES, FL – The University of Miami women’s basketball team (13-14, 7-9 BIG EAST) closed out the regular season with an 80-60 rout over visiting Pittsburgh (16-11, 7-9 BIG EAST) on Senior Night at the Knight Sports Complex on the UM campus.
In the game, Miami senior Gina Graziani recorded eight assists placing her atop the all-time BIG EAST career assists list with 474 dishes over her four-year career. The previous mark was 471, held by Providence’s Shayna Evans (1987-91).
The Hurricanes were led in scoring by freshman forward Alicia Hartlaub, who had a game-high 19 points with seven rebounds. Junior guard Dalia Clarke recorded her second career double-double with 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Graziani chipped in with 11 points and four steals.
Miami moves to 7-1 against Pittsburgh at the Knight Sports Complex, while leading the overall series record 12-7 since the 1982-83 season.
Miami jumped out quick on the Panthers, racing to a 20-5 lead midway through the first half. Pittsburgh responded with a 19-9 run over the final 10 minutes to bring the UM lead to within 29-23 at the half.
In the second half, UM quickly turned its six-point halftime lead to 14 with 14:32 remaining. Graziani dished an assist to Clarke underneath the basket, to record her sixth assist of the game and set the new BIG EAST career assists mark.
Pittsburgh’s Monique Toney would once again bring the Panthers to within nine points, 52-43, with a three-pointer at the 8:22 mark. Miami would respond with tough defense and hold Pittsburgh without a field goal until the 3:06 mark, while building a 20-point lead, 68-48, during the five-minute duration.
The UM bench outscored the Pittsburgh reserves 23-13. Miami out-rebounded the Panthers 39-32, including a 30-17 advantage on the defensive boards.
The Panthers were led by Gina Montesano’s 16 points and Toney’s 15.
Miami will travel to Storrs, Conn. for the BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Championship. With tonight’s win the Hurricanes earned the No. 7 in the BIG EAST tournament and will face the No. 10 seed Seton Hall on Saturday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.
