`Canes Dominant in Season-Opening Win

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s basketball team opened its season in impressive fashion, cruising to a 93-39 win over Kennesaw State, Friday afternoon at the BankUnited Center.

Morgan Stroman set or tied three career-highs as she, Riquna Williams and Shenise Johnson all recorded double-doubles on the day.

The Hurricanes – employing a full-court press – kept the Fighting Owls on their heels early, jumping out to a 13-0 lead and never looking back.

Williams and Stroman each poured in a game-high 21 points while Stroman also recorded a career-high tying 12 rebounds and career-best seven steals.

Williams recorded a career-best of her own, grabbing 11 boards.

In the end, Miami’s press was too much to handle for the Owls as it led to 32 turnovers – 21 of them UM steals.

Kennesaw State was never able to get an offensive rhythm, recording only five assists as a team and getting outscored 24-2 in fast break points.

Depth played a big role in allowing the `Canes to maintain their defensive pressure as all of Miami’s players saw the floor – each playing at least 10 minutes.

Johnson, heading into the 2010-11 campaign a Preseason All-ACC selection, turned in another balanced effort with 16 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and a game-high four assists.

Krystal Saunders, Florida’s 2010 Ms. Basketball, paced Miami’s freshmen with five points and four rebounds. Selina Archer chipped in six points, while Stephanie Gardner scored four and Maria Brown pulled down four rebounds.

Kennesaw State’s Angie Smith scored a team-high 12 points, while Tamasha Bolden nearly claimed a double-double of her own – scoring nine points with eight rebounds.

The Hurricanes next travel to Lincoln, Neb., to take-on Nebraska on Nov. 17. Last season, Miami fell to Huskers 76-71 in a very competitive game. Nebraska went on to win the first 30 games of its season and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

POST-GAME NOTES

Today’s Starters
Starting for Miami today was Riquna Williams, Stefanie Yderstrom, Shenise Johnson, Morgan Stroman, and Sylvia Bullock.

Starting it off…
Morgan Stroman scored the first basket of the season for the `Canes off a pass from Shenise Johnson.

And off they go…
Miami started the game on a 13-0 run not allowing a point until the 15:53 mark.

In the beginning…
UM has not lost a season-opener since falling to Florida to start the 1996-97 campaign. Miami has also won every home-opener since the 1990-91 season.

Rookies
Highly recruited freshman Krystal Saunders hit a three-pointer for her first career basket with 8:48 remaining in the first half. Selina Archer (6 points) and Stephanie Gardner (4 points) also scored their first points as Hurricanes.

Pressure busts pipes
Miami’s pressure defense forced 32 turnovers leading to 32 points.

What sophomore slump?
Sophomore Morgan Stroman recorded career highs in points (21) and steals (7) while tying a career high in rebounds (12).

Daily Double
With those stats, Stroman registered her fourth career double-double. Riquna Williams also doubled it up for the second time in her career with 21 points and 11 rebounds – the 11 boards were a career high. It was the first time she achieved the feat with points and rebounds. The guard previously recorded 24 points and 10 assists last year at Cornell. Shenise Johnson also joined the party with her 17th-career double-dip with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Get that outta here…
Shenise Johnson tied a career high with 3 blocked shots.

Big win
The last time the Hurricanes won a game by more than 50 points was November 25, 2002 when Miami defeated Morris Brown 111-44. The last time Miami held a team under 40 points was on December 13, 2008 in a win over Binghamton (72-37).