Riquna Williams Scores 34 in Miami's 86-63 Win Over UC Riverside
Nov. 14, 2009
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The University of Miami women’s basketball team (1-0) was led by sophomore Riquna Williams’ 34 points in a 86-63 victory over the UC Riverside Highlanders (0-1), in the season-opener for both teams at the Student Recreation Center.
From the start of the game it looked like R. Williams would be in for a big night. The Pahokee, Fla. native scored the Hurricanes first seven points and by half time she had 19. Meanwhile, the entire Highlander team managed only 22 first-half points. Overall, R. Williams was 11-of-21 from the field including 6-of-12 from three-point range. R. Williams’ 34 points was the most scored by a Miami player since Renee Taylor scored a team-record 42 in 2005 at Houston.
Three other Hurricanes scored in double figures, including 13 from senior Charmaine Clark and 12 points from both Diane Barnes and Shenise Johnson. Barnes also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds as she recorded her second career double-double.
The `Canes forced Riverside into 22 turnovers in the game with 17 coming from steals. Johnson led all players with five thefts, while five other Miami players had two or more steals. Those turnovers led to 17 Hurricane points.
UC Riverside was held to 35.5 percent shooting, while the `Canes were 50.8 percent from the field. Miami’s high shooting percentage was due in part to their ability to penetrate and finish in the paint. UM outscored the Highlanders 38-18 in the paint on the evening.
Freshman and 2009 McDonald’s All-American Morgan Stroman played only 12 minutes, but tied Johnson with seven rebounds and added four points. Stroman’s fellow freshmen teammates, Hannah Shaw and Shanel Williams scored five and four points respectively.
Sophomore Sylvia Bullock grabbed six rebounds in the contest but she dealt out a game-high five assists. In 28 games played during the 2008-09 season, the Anchorage, Alaska native had a total of 10 assists.
UC Riverside advanced to the postseason three of the last four seasons, including a berth into the WNIT last years. During the 2009-10 season, the Highlanders won 19 games and lost only one game on their home court.
The 86 points scored as a team was the most since last season’s 91-42 season-opening win over Norfolk State at the BankUnited Center. The Hurricanes have now won 13 consecutive season-openers and Friday night was the first time since 2003 that UM has opened the season on the road.
Miami returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 18 as it ends its season-opening two-game road trip at Cal State Bakersfield. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST at the Icardo Center. The `Canes will face Bethune-Cookman in their home-opener on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
For ticket information, please call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit hurricanesports.com
