Hurricanes Travel to Durham for Match-Up with Second-Ranked Duke

Feb. 23, 2005

CORAL GABLES, Fla. –

The <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>University of Miami women’s basketball team will take to Durham, N.C. Thursday to take on ACC rival, No. 2 Duke at 7 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

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Miami (12-13, 4-8 ACC) at (2/3) Duke (25-2, 11-1 ACC)

Date: February 24, 2005

Time: 7 p.m.

Site (Capacity): Cameron Indoor Stadium (9,312)

Location: Durham, N.C.

TV: None

Radio: WVUM (90.5 FM)

Internet: www.hurricanesports.com

Tickets: 1-800-GO-CANES

Meeting: Second

Series: Duke leads 1-0

Last Meeting: Duke won 72-63 in Coral Gables (2/3/05)

The Game

The Hurricanes and the third-ranked Blue Devils square off for the second time this season Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C. The Blue Devils won this year’s previous meeting, which was also the first meeting all-time between the two schools, 72-63 in Coral Gables Feb. 3. Thursday’s game will be carried live on the air on WVUM (90.5 FM) with Doug Kroll and Mike Garcia calling the action. The game can also be heard live on www.hurricanesports.com which will also feature live stats and scoring. For ticket information, please contact the Hurricane Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES or visit www.hurricanesports.com.

The Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have won four of their last seven games heading into Thursday’s match-up with Duke. In UM’s three losses during that seven-game span, the Hurricanes have lost by just an average of 5.7 points to three top-25 opponents in No. 3 Duke, No. 21 NC State and No. 20 Maryland. As a team, the Hurricanes are averaging 65.3 points per game on the year, but are netting 70.5 points-a-game over the last six contests. The Hurricanes are led by National Player of the Year candidate, junior Tamara James, who leads the NCAA in scoring with 23.2 points per game. James, who has turned in more 30-point games (5) than any other player in the conference this season, also leads the Hurricanes in rebounding with 6.8 boards per game. Senior Yalonda McCormick is second on the team in scoring with 12.8 points per game and is second in the ACC in assists with 6.29 assists per game. McCormick is also third in the league in steals with 2.75 steals per game. Sophomore Imani Dhahabu has been hot of late, averaging 11.3 points and 6.7 rebounds over the last six games compared to her season averages of 6.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Freshman Albrey Grimsley is third on the UM roster in scoring with 6.8 points per game and is averaging 8.3 points against ranked teams this season. Junior Tatjana Marincic has provided production off the bench with 5.5 points per game over the last six games.

The Blue Devils

Head coach Gail Goestenkors and the third-ranked Blue Devils play host to the Hurricanes with an overall record of 25-2 and an ACC-leading 11-1 mark in conference play. The Blue Devils are first in the ACC in scoring margin, outscoring opponents by an average of 22.1 points per game this season. Duke also tops the ACC in defensive field goal percentage, holding opponents to just 32.7 percent shooting on the year. Junior Monique Currie leads the Blue Devils in scoring and ranks fourth in the league with 17.4 points per game and is one of four Blue Devils averaging double figures this season. Sophomore Alison Bales leads the ACC in blocks with 3.81 per game – recording more than twice as many (103) than any other player this season.