`Canes Close Out 2009 With Victory Over UNF
Dec. 31, 2009
CORAL GABLES – Defense keyed the University of Miami’s women’s basketball team (11-2) in an 80-36 rout over the UNF Ospreys (3-8), Thursday afternoon at the BankUnited Center.
Riquna Williams scored 16 of her game-high 23 points in the first half as Miami cruised to a 41-10 lead. The 10 first-half points were the lowest allowed in a half under head coach Katie Meier in her five seasons at the helm of the `Canes.
It was the second time this season that Williams had more points on her own than the opponent’s entire team at the break. The Atlantic Coast Conference’s leading scorer also accomplished the feat at Binghamton on Dec. 19, when she put up 24 and the Bearcats had 23. Williams also had a game-high five steals – giving her 28 on the year, as well as five three-point field goals.
The Hurricanes scored 20 points off 16 UNF turnovers in the opening half and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, leading to 10 second-chance points.
Diane Barnes picked up her ACC and team leading sixth double-double of the season as she scored 13 points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.
Sophomore Shenise Johnson scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dealt out a game-best five assists. The Henrietta, N.Y. native joins Williams as the two Hurricanes to score in double-figures in each game this season.
Miami’s defensive intensity was just too much for the Ospreys as the `Canes forced a season-high 29 turnovers and outscored the visitors,15-0, in fast-break points. UM never trailed in the contest and led by as much as 46 points.
The Hurricanes open 2010 with a road contest at the Miami University RedHawks on Jan. 3 at Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio. Miami opens its ACC schedule on Jan. 10 when it plays host to No. 11 Florida State at 1 p.m. at the BankUnited Center. The game is to be televised on Fox Sports Florida.
For ticket information, please call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit hurricanesports.com.
