Miami to Take On the No. 21 Virginia Cavaliers
Feb. 18, 2009
CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s basketball team will travel to Charlottesville, Va. to take on the No. 23/21 Virginia Cavaliers, Thursday at 7 p.m. at the John Paul Jones Arena.
Miami (13-12, 2-8) at Virginia (19-7, 5-5)
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009 / John Paul Jones Arena / Charlottesville, Va. / 7 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM
Web/Live Stats: hurricanesports.com
Internet Video: ACCSelect.com Internet Audio: www.wvum.org
Miami is led by freshman Shenise Johnson. The 2008 McDonald’s All-American is leading her team in all major statistical categories, including points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. In the Hurricanes’ last game against Boston College, Johnson led her team with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, five steals and three blocks.
In the last two games, Miami has had 10 different players score and at least nine players play 10 or minutes in each game. The team effort is key to sustaining coach Katie Meier’s up-temp style of play. The `Canes’ aggressive defense has forced their opponents into an average of 21.7 turnovers per game.
In the loss to Boston College, freshman Riquna Williams and sophomore Epiphany Woodson scored nine points a piece and will look to give Miami its first win over a ranked opponent since Jan. 29, 2006.
A Look at the Cavaliers
Virginia enters Thursday night’s game with an 19-7 record, but has lost its last two games, to Maryland and NC State.
The Cavaliers are led by Monica Wright who is averaging 21.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Lyndra Littles and Aisha Mohammed score 20.6 and 12.9 points per game respectively.
Virginia is averaging 73.4 points and 44.2 rebounds per game as a team. It is shooting 40.3 percent (703-1746) from the floor, 27.7 percent (96-347) from beyond the arc and 68.6 (406-592) from the free throw line. The Cavaliers also register 9.8 steals and 3.0 blocked shots per outing, while holding their opponents to 64.4 points per game and a shooting percentage of 39.5 (606-1535).
The Series
The Hurricanes are 1-5 all-time against the Cavaliers and have lost four straight to them. In the last meeting on Jan. 21, 2008, Virginia defeated Miami 79-68 at the BankUnited Center. In that game, Epiphany Woodson scored 11 points.
