The Hurricanes Roll Past Providence, 81-62
March 2, 2004
CORAL GABLES, Fla.-The Miami women’s basketball team rolled to an 81-62 victory over visiting Providence College Tuesday night at the Convocation Center.
The Hurricanes (22-5, 11-5 BIG EAST) clinched the No. 4 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament with the win over the Friars (4-23, 0-16 BIG EAST).
The Hurricanes have not earned a bye in the tournament since Miami was a No. 3 seed at the 1998 tournament in Piscataway, N.J.
Connecticut will be the No. 1 seed, while Notre Dame earns the No. 2 spot. Villanova claimed the No. 3 seed, while Miami earned the final first-round bye.
The Hurricanes tied Boston College for fourth place with identical 11-5 marks, but UM defeated the Eagles in their only regular season meeting.
West Virginia, Rutgers and Virginia Tech compiled 10-6 BIG EAST records to tie for sixth place. The Mountaineers take the No. 6 seed by virtue of regular season victories over the Scarlet Knights and the Hokies. Rutgers garners the seventh seed due to its win over Virginia Tech, the No. 8 seed.
Georgetown ended conference play with a 7-9 record for the No. 9 seed. Seton Hall compiled a 6-10 league record for the 10th seed. St. John’s returns to the tournament for the first time in three years as the No. 11 seed after going 4-12 in BIG EAST play. Syracuse qualifies as the 12th seed after a 3-13 conference showing.
Miami honored four seniors in their final home game; Vera Arsova (Stip, Macedonia), Chanivia Broussard (Miami, Fla.), Shaquana Wilkins (Plymouth, Fla.) and Hutashi Wilson (Toronto, Canada).
The Hurricanes held the 40-25 advantage at halftime. Miami continued to dominate the Friars leading by as many as 21 points in the second half.
Tamara James (Dania, Fla.) led the Hurricanes with 23 points in 30 minutes of action.
Broussard scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Wilkins grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds and added 13 points committing her ninth double-double of the season.
2004 BIG EAST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY STATE FARM
March 6-9 ~~ Hartford Civic Center (Hartford, Conn.)
FIRST ROUND – Saturday, March 6
Noon #5 Boston College (11-5) vs. #12 Syracuse (3-13)
2:00 p.m. #8 Virginia Tech (10-6) vs. #9 Georgetown (7-9)
6:00 p.m. #7 Rutgers (10-6) vs. #10 Seton Hall (6-10)
8:00 p.m. #6 West Virginia (10-6) vs. #11 St. John’s (4-12)
QUARTERFINALS – Sunday, March 7
Noon #4 Miami (11-5) vs. #5 BC/#12 SU winner
2:00 p.m. #1 Connecticut (14-2) vs. #8 VT/#9 GU winner
6:00 p.m. #2 Notre Dame (12-4) vs. #7 RU/#10 SHU winner
8:00 p.m. #3 Villanova (12-4) vs. #6 WVU/#11 SJU winner
SEMIFINALS – Monday, March 8
6:00 p.m. Quarterfinal afternoon winners
8:00 p.m. Quarterfinal evening winners
FINAL – Tuesday, March 9
7:00 p.m. Championship game (ESPN2)
