Hurricanes Hosts Boston College in Big ACC Match-Up
Feb. 16, 2009
CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s basketball team will host Boston College at the BankUnited Center, Monday at 7 p.m. as the Hurricanes raise breast cancer awareness with the PinkZone Campaign.
Boston College (17-7, 5-4) vs. Miami (13-11, 2-7)
Monday, Feb. 16, 2009 / BankUnited Center / Coral Gables, Fla. / 7 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports South
Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM
Web/Live Stats: hurricanesports.com
Internet Video: ACCSelect.com
Internet Audio: www.wvum.org
Miami has won two of its past three games including its last two on the road, with its last coming on the court at Cassell Coliseum as the Hurricanes took down Virginia Tech 59-56. Freshman Shenise Johnson scored a team-high 11 points, the seventh time she has led her team in scoring on the season. However, on that night, it was a complete team effort that lifted Miami to victory. There were 10 different players that played 10 or more minutes in the Miami win and each scored as well.
Sophomore Briyana Blair continues to be the spark plug for this resilient team. The Orlando native scored eight points on the night and made all the right decisions in her 14-minutes of play. Senior captain LaToya Cunningham was one of four Hurricanes to score seven points, but she led her team with six rebounds and scored maybe the biggest three points of the night, when she pushed the Hurricane lead from one to four in the waning minutes.
A Look at Boston College
Boston College enters Monday night’s game with an 17-7 record, but has lost its last three games, albeit to the top-three teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference: Duke, Florida State and Maryland.
The Eagles are led by Mickel Picco who is averaging 16.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Carolyn Swords and Stefanie Murphy score 14.8 and 10.4 points per game respectively.
Boston College is averaging 71.0 points and 41.4 rebounds per game as a team. It is shooting 44.9 percent (656-1462) from the floor, 34.0 percent (116-341) from beyond the arc and 69.0 (276-400) from the free throw line. The Eagles also register 8.0 steals and 3.6 blocked shots per outing, while holding their opponents to 63.0 points per game and a shooting percentage of 38.1 (541-1421).
The Series
These two former Big East Rivals have played one another a total of 30 times, with the Hurricanes winning 17 of those contests. However, as of late the series has been swinging toward the Eagles, as they have won the last four meetings. Earlier this season, in Chestnut Hill, Boston College built an early lead and held on for the 62-54 win. In that game, four Miami players scored in double-figures, led by Riquna Williams’ 13 points.
Special Note
The WBCA Pink ZoneTM initiative is a global, unified effort for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. The University of Miami has designated tonight’s game against Boston College as its Pink ZoneTM game. The Hurricane coaching and support staff will be wearing pink and the players will don pink shoe laces and other accessories in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness.
