Second-Half Push Carries Miami Past UCF
Dec. 18, 2008
ORLANDO – After trailing by 10 points early in the first half, Miami (7-3) outscored the host UCF Knights (2-8) by 13 in the second period for the 66-59 win at UCF Arena.
The Hurricane’s foul shooting has been a thorn in their side all season, as they came into the contest with only a 58.1 shooting percentage from the line. However, against the Knights, Miami hit 16 of 21 from the charity stripe, including seven in the game’s final six minutes, to seal the team’s seventh victory of the season.
After making her season-debut a game ago against Binghamton, sophomore Epiphany Woodson scored 13 points and was a catalyst for Miami. Shenise Johnson led her team with 15 points and was one of three Hurricanes with six rebounds. Latoya Drake and Lamese James were the other players to grab six boards for Miami and each added six points a piece.
Freshman Sylvia Bullock score seven points, her most since the season-opener but she made her presence felt on the defensive end, as she had a game-high three blocks. Also registering quality minutes was junior Ashley Sours. The 6-5 center altered shots in all of her 11 minutes and she added six points and snagged five rebounds as well.
After giving up 36 points in the first half, the UM defense tightened on the second half, limiting the Knights to only 23 points and holding them to an under 30 percent shooting percentage.
The game began with strong defense from both squads, but a 10-point run by the Knight gave the home team a 19-9 advantage with 10:51 remaining. In that span, Miami committed four turnovers that led to six UCF points.
After the 12-minute media timeout, the `Canes came back by cutting down on their mistakes and by hitting the open shots. In just five minutes time, Miami trimmed the UCF lead to one. The Knights did end the half with a six-point lead, after Aisha Patrick converted on an and-one and Chelsie Wiley hit a three-pointer with under a minute to go.
Wiley led all scorers with 20 points and Emma Cannon had a game-high 12 rebounds for UCF.
Miami returns to the BankUnited Center to face Grambling State on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m., after originally being scheduled for a 2 p.m. For ticket information, please call 1-800-Go-Canes or visit hurricanesports.com.
