Strong Second Half Leads `Canes to Exhibition Win over Rollins

WINTER PARK, Fla. – After a close first half, the University of Miami women’s basketball team was able to pull away in the second period to defeat Rollins College, 95-62, at Warden Arena Saturday afternoon in exhibition action. The `Canes displayed a balanced attack with every player on the active roster scoring and collecting a rebound.

Miami will now open its regular season at home on Friday, Nov. 12 against Kennesaw State at 12 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at HurricaneSports.com with season ticket packages available for as low as $50.

The offense on Saturday was led by junior guard Riquna William, who scored 26 points in 28 minutes of play. She carved up the Tars’ defense, penetrating through the lane at will in addition to knocking down shots from outside. Classmate Shenise Johnson added 18 points of her own as the backcourt duo picked up right where they left off in the team’s run to the WNIT finals last season.

Johnson, an All-ACC preseason selection, also brought in 12 boards to earn a double-double. Morgan Stroman proved to be a force inside as well as she had 10 rebounds. Overall, the Canes dominated the rebound battle, nabbing 54 caroms to the Tars’ 35.

The Hurricanes jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead on two Stefanie Yderstrom triples, but the Tars fought back in what was a very competitive first half of play. The score was tied four times with the lead changing hands on eight occasions. Miami went into the locker room with a 44-39 lead.

Following intermission, Miami increased their defensive pressure, forcing Rollins into 12 turnovers and 23% shooting from the field in the second half, coercing the Tars into difficult contested shots. That proved to be the difference as the `Canes put the game away with a 13-0 run over a five-plus minute span that was capped by back-to-back rebound put-backs by Yderstrom and Williams.

From there, the `Canes finished off the hosts by going up by as many as 35 points in what proved to be a convincing victory and an exciting preview of what is to come from the `Canes going forward.

Rollins – a member of the Sunshine State Conference -was led by 16-point efforts from both Amber Heistan and Kourtnie Berry.

Saturday’s game was the `Canes only exhibition game this season.