Miami Eases Past Pittsburgh, 77-68
Jan 17, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) – Shaquana Wilkins had 20 points and a career-high15 rebounds to lift No. 21 Miami to a 77-68 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturdaynight.
The Hurricanes (15-1, 4-1 Big East) played without leading scorer TamaraJames, who sprained her neck Wednesday.
Miami closed out the first half with a 20-8 run to build a 14-point lead.
The Hurricanes extended the lead to 17 points early in the second half, butPittsburgh (6-9, 2-3) used a 12-4 run to make it 57-48 with a little more thanseven minutes remaining.
The Panthers couldn’t get any closer, though. Wilkins scored four of Miami’sfinal eight points, helping the Hurricanes stay unbeaten in eight games athome.
LaToya Kincaid led Pitt with 21 points.
James was released from the hospital Thursday after a CT scan and X-rayscame back negative. She banged her head on the floor in a double-overtime winagainst Georgetown. Her neck was immobilized and she was taken off the court ona stretcher.
Miami coach Ferne Labati expects James, who averages 16.2 points a game, toplay Tuesday at Providence.
