Hurricanes Hold Off Georgia Tech, 75-63
Jan. 5, 2006
ATLANTA, Ga. – Senior forward Tamara James and junior guard Renee Taylor each scored 18 points as Miami downed Georgia Tech 75-63 in UM’s ACC opener Thursday night in at Alexander Memorial Coliseum.
The Hurricanes (11-2, 1-0 ACC), who are off to the third-best start in school history, shot 46.3 percent from the floor led by freshman center Brittany Denson, who hit 6-of-10 shots en route to a career-best 16-point outing.
Georgia Tech (11-2, 0-1 ACC) narrowed the UM lead to six at 39-35 just under four minutes into the second half on a spinning lay up by Stephanie Higgs, who would finish with a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Six minutes later Higgs found Katrina Wilson who hit a shot to shorten Miami’s lead to four at 50-46.
Taylor answered with a jumper on Miami’s next possession down to put UM up by six at 52-46 with 9:09 remaining.
Senior forward Melissa Knight knocked down a three-pointer in transition to give UM a seven-point, 59-52 lead with under five minutes left and minutes later took a steal from mid-court in to score to put UM ahead 61-55.
Taylor hit a three from the top of the key on the Hurricanes next trip down and following a free throw by Knight, the Hurricanes moved ahead 65-55 with 2:28 left.
Miami would hold off the Yellow Jackets for the remainder of the game, taking the 75-63 victory.
James, who finished with four assists and two steals, led the Hurricanes with eight rebounds followed by Denson’s seven. Taylor recorded three steals in the win as UM forced 26 Georgia Tech turnovers.
Shooting 41.4 percent from the field, the Hurricanes, led by Denson’s 14 first-half points, took a 32-23 lead into the break despite begin out-rebounded 26-14 by the Yellow Jackets.
Miami returns to action Monday, hosting North Carolina at 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center.
