Hurricanes Improve to 4-0 With 70-54 Win at UAB
Nov. 21, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Miami women’s basketball team was too much for Conference USA’s UAB Blazers (1-2) as it moved to 4-0 on season with a 70-54 win at the Bartow Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Riquna Williams struggled from the field in the first half, but when Shenise Johnson had to sit most of the second half with foul trouble, the dynamic scorer took over. The Atlantic Coast Conference’s leading scorer was held to only three points in the opening-half but then scored 15 in the second and was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line.
The Pahokee, Fla. native also grabbed a career-high nine rebounds, falling just shy of her first career double-double. Her four assists on the day were also a new career-best.
In Miami’s last game, Diane Barnes pulled down a career-best 14 boards and she matched that total on Saturday. Barnes also scored 12 points and recorded her team-leading third double-double of the short season, while playing a career-high 35 minutes.
Despite sitting most of the second half, Johnson led all scorers with 20 points – the second time this season she has reached the 20-point plateau. Johnson matched Williams in dealing out a game-high four assists. The Henrietta, N.Y. native was also a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, setting a new career-high in made three-point field goals.
The 2009 McDonald’s All-American, Morgan Stroman, continues her impressive freshman season as she scored eight points and had seven rebounds. Senior Charmaine Clark added six points with seven rebounds of her own while collecting a team-high three steals.
Amanda Peterson led UAB with 14 points, hitting a game-high four threes. Tamika Dukes was the only other Blazer to score in double-figures with 13 points.
The Hurricanes dominated the boards, outrebounding the home team 54-35 in the game. For the second time this season, Miami recorded more offensive rebounds (19) than it opponent did on defense (18).
The `Canes shot a season-best 85 percent from the free-throw line, hitting 17-of-20 shots. For the game, the Blazers only attempted a total of 12 free throws.
The Blazers scored the game’s first seven points, but back-to-back three-pointers from R. Williams and Johnson brought the `Canes right back into the game.
Miami took its first lead of the game at 12-10 when Stroman took a Williams’ pass and was fouled while making a layup. Stroman’s next bucket was also an and-one and Miami eventually cruised into the break with a 35-22 lead.
Johnson was the only player in double-figures at the half scoring 12 points, including two threes.
The Hurricanes improved to 4-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 season – the last time UM advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Miami returns to the BankUnited Center on Tuesday, Nov. 24 to take on the Houston Cougars at noon for the Hurricanes’ annual Youth Day.
For ticket information, please call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit hurricanesports.com
