Hurricanes Roll Past FAU In Opener, 64-45

Nov. 9, 2007

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – – Senior guard Maurita Reid scored 21 points and a 24-2 first-half run helped the University of Miami women’s basketball team defeat Florida Atlantic, 64-45, Friday afternoon at the BankUnited Center in the season opener for both teams.

Junior guard LaToya Cunningham added 16 points and sophomore forward Charmaine Clark chipped in 14 points for the Hurricanes (1-0), who shot 36.9 percent. Reid knocked down five three-pointers and fell one rebound shy of a double-double. Cunningham also led the team with nine assists and nailed four three-pointers as Miami finished 10-of-27 from long range. Jaime Givens and Breana Cox each had nine points for FAU (0-1).

After FAU got out to an early 11-6 lead. UM broke out of an early shooting slump to go up 30-13 before a Hannah Jones free throw ended the UM run with 1:32 to play in the first half. The Hurricanes, after hitting just three of their first 16 shots, drained 10 of their next 18 attempts to head into the half with a 35-16 lead.

Reid scored 13 in the first half, going 3-of-6 from behind the arc in addition to pulling down six rebounds. The Owls, who shot just 6-of-28 from the field and 1-of-9 from three-point range in the first half, were led by Breana Cox’s four points at the break.

FAU battled back in the second half, cutting the UM lead to 47-36, but the `Canes were able regain composure and pull away for the 19-point win.

Miami will return to the court Tuesday, Nov. 13 when the Hurricanes play host to another in-state foe, Jacksonville University, at 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center.