Miami Falls 83-72 at Virginia in WNIT Second Round
March 22, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – After trailing by as much as 20, Miami put together a 20-5 late second half run to come within points of the lead, but could not overcome Virginia Wednesday night, falling 83-72 in the second round of the 2006 WNIT at University Hall.
One game after becoming Miami’s (17-13) all-time leading scorer, senior All-America candidate Tamara James turned in 31 points and 10 rebounds, marking the fourth time in five games she has recorded 31 or more points.
Miami trailed 65-45 with 6:55 remaining following a three-pointer by Virginia’s (20-11) Brenna McGuire, who finished with a team-high 16 points.
Following the McGuire three-pointer, the Hurricanes chipped away at the Cavalier lead over the next three-and-a-half minutes, putting together a 20-5 run, capped off by a Renee Taylor layup to bring UM within five at 70-65 with 3:18 left to play.
On Virginia’s next possession, McGuire drew a personal foul by James and seconds later James was issued a technical foul, giving UVa four free throw attempts and the ball.
Virginia connected on three of the four attempts to take an eight-point, 73-65 lead and wouldn’t let Miami back within six to go on to the 83-72 victory. McGuire, who hit four three-pointers on the night, was one of six Virginia players to score double figures.
James scored 16 of Miami’s 30 first-half points, but Virginia, led by McGuire’s three three-pointers, held UM without a field goal in the last 3:36 minutes of the half to take a 45-30 lead into the break.
Senior guard Melissa Knight added 16 points and junior guard Renee Taylor turned in 15 points with eight assists for the Hurricanes.
