Miami Runs Past Quinnipiac into Tournament Final
Dec. 28, 2009
CORAL GABLES – Shenise Johnson scored 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out nine assists in a near triple-double to lead the University of Miami women’s basketball team (10-1) to a 93-48 victory over Quinnipiac (4-6), Monday night in the opening round of the Wyndham Miami Holiday Tournament at the BankUnited Center.
Just one game after scoring a career-high 27 points at Cornell, Johnson almost reached another milestone as she fell just an assist shy of recording a triple-double in the Hurricanes lopsided victory over the Quinnipiac Bobcats.
The Atlantic Coast Conference’s leading scorer, Riquna Williams, led all players with 22 points. The Pahokee, Fla. native also handed out four assists and had three steals.
In just her fifth collegiate game, Stefanie Yderstrom scored a season-high 19 points and is averaging 11.8 points per contest so far this season. The Swede also had five of Miami’s season-high 13 three-point field goals.
Fellow freshman Morgan Stroman also scored in double figures as she added 12 points, hitting 6-of-7 free throws. Sophomore Sylvia Bullock grabbed 10 rebounds and swatted away two shots for the `Canes.
Miami dominated the glass grabbing 70 rebounds, just two shy of the school record – set against Stetson in 1982. Half of the rebounds came on the offensive end, leading to 28 second-chance points. UM also forced 24 turnovers – with 14 steals, leading to 36 points off turnovers, compared to just eight for the visitors.
The `Canes never trailed and their 45 point victory was the most since a 49-point win against Norfolk State in the 2008-09 season opener.
Three Hurricanes already had double-digit points in the first half, led by Johnson’s 13. Yderstrom scored 11 and R. Williams added 10. Johnson also led the `Canes with six assists and six rebounds.
Miami will face No. 17/22 Texas in the championship game of the Wyndham Miami Holiday Tournament after the Longhorns defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas, 94-83, in their opening round contest. Britainey Ravens had a game-high 26 points for Texas while adding 10 rebounds.
Due to the Hurricanes football team playing in the Champs Sports Bowl at 8 p.m., the championship will be played first and the consolation game featuring Quinnipiac and Central Michigan will be played at 5 p.m.
For ticket information, please call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit hurricanesports.com.
