Miami Holds off Barry in Final Exhibition, 52-49

Nov. 8, 2008

CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s basketball team won their second and final preseason game over Barry University by a score of 52-49, Saturday afternoon at the BankUnited Center.

Shenise Johnson proved to be too much for the Buccaneers as she scored 16 points, with nine coming in the second half.

Adding a helping hand, literally, was sophomore Briyana Blair. Her defensive presence was felt throughout the game, as she used her quick hands to close off passing lanes and deflect balls leading to many of Miami’s 17 steals. The Orlando native played arguably the best game of her collegiate career. She only scored four points but led her team with five assists and recorded four steals.

The Hurricanes, playing without three key contributors due to injury, struggled to find their rhythm early in the game and found themselves down eight after only seven minutes of play.

With just over four minutes remaining in the first half, Diane Barnes finally turned momentum the Hurricanes’ way after grabbing an offensive rebound on a missed Charmaine Clark free throw. Barnes then made the put back and was fouled on the play giving Miami the lead, at 21-20, for the first time since the score was2-0 in the opening minute.

Head coach Katie Meier kept momentum on Miami’s side by beginning the second half in a full-court press. The Hurricanes’ lead grew to a game-high eight points with 11:42 to play, before foul trouble caught up to home team.

Miami was called for their tenth foul of the second half with 10:17 still on the clock. Barry used it to their advantage, attacking the basket, getting to the line 15 times, missing only four times. The Buccaneers tied the game at the 5:32 mark after Mariesa Greene hit back-to-back foul shots.

Miami’s most important possession of the game came with a minute left on the clock, when Clark, Johnson and Barnes grabbed three straight offensive rebounds. Eventually, Blair found a wide-open Johnson under the basket for a lay-up that put UM up by three, sealing the win.

The Hurricanes rode their defense to the win, making up for a poor shooting performance. The `Canes were only able to hit on 36 percent of their shots, but held Barry to only 30.8 percent. Johnson had three of Miami’s six blocks and she had her hand in five steals, tied for the team lead with LaToya Cunningham.

For the second straight game, Barnes fell just short of recording a double-double. She ended the day with 11 points and eight rebounds. Clark was one of three players to score in double figures as she added 11 points.

Greene led Division II Barry with 10 points and nine rebounds and Princess Bailey added 10 points of her own.

Miami will open their regular season next Friday, Nov. 14 at the BankUnited Center at noon as the `Canes host Norfolk State on Youth Day. For ticket information, please call 1-800-Go-Canes or visit hurricanesports.com