Hurricanes Too Much For Cal State Bakersfield

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s basketball team won its sixth straight game when it handled Cal State Bakersfield, 86-61, Sunday afternoon at the BankUnited Center.

The Hurricanes relied on the play of its “Big Three” to dispatch Cal State Bakersfield (7-3) as Morgan Stroman, Riquna Williams and Shenise Johnson accounted for 60 of the team’s 86 points.

Stroman has elevated her play all season and on Sunday she grabbed a personal-best 16 rebounds to go with her career-high tying 21 points. Johnson scored 15 points and recorded a new career-best with 15 rebounds. Stroman’s double-double was the third of the season, while  Johnson’s was her fourth.

Even though she struggled from beyond the arc, Williams led all scorers with 24 points and matched Johnson and Stefanie Yderstrom with a team-leading four assists.

Trailing by five points midway through the first half, The Hurricanes went on a 24-10 run over the next 10 minutes – fueled by Stroman’s 16 first-half points. The Hopkins, S.C. native also added nine boards – five offensive – in the opening frame.

From that point, Miami (7-1) never looked back and used its advantage on the glass to make sure that the visitors wouldn’t mount a comeback. In all, the `Canes held a 55-43 lead on the boards – including a 24-16 edge on the offensive end, leading to 22 second-chance points.

The `Canes also owned the paint, outscoring their opponent, 50-22, with much of the damage coming from put-backs by Stroman and Johnson on the end of their combined 15 offensive rebounds.

Four players scored in double-digits for the Roadrunners, led by Britney McGee’s 14 points. Jana Smith was just a rebound shy of a double-double as she scored 11 points.

The Hurricanes will have one off day before playing host to No. 12/13 Georgetown at the BankUnited Center on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The matchup will be the first between the old BIG EAST rivals since Miami left the conference for the ACC in 2004.

POST-GAME NOTES

The win today…
-is Miami’s sixth in a row
-improves Miami’s record to 7-1
-is the sixth straight win by double-digits.
-improves Miami’s record to 7-0 at home on the season and is the 11th straight win at the BankUnited Center overall.
-Improves Miami’s record to 2-0 all-time against CSU Bakersfield.

Today’s Starters
Starting for Miami tonight was Riquna Williams, Shenise Johnson, Stephanie Yderstrom, Sylvia Bullock, and Morgan Stroman.  The Hurricanes have used the same starting lineup in all eight games this year.

Miami Ball
The Hurricanes, who have forced at least 20 opponent turnovers in every game this season, did it again, forcing CSU Bakersfield into 26 turnovers, while only allowing the roadrunners to dish out 13 assists.

Stroman Dominates
Sophomore forward Morgan Stroman had 16 points and nine rebounds in the first half alone, on her way to her third double-double of the year. Stroman finished with a career-high tying 21 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.  The last time a UM player had at least 15 rebounds was  January 17, 2004 when Shaquana Wilkins grabbed 15 against Pittsburgh.

Shenise Continues the Streak
Sophomore guard Shenise Johnson, with her 15 points today, has now scored in double-figures for the 45th straight game.  Her 15 rebounds set a new career high, for her fourth double-double of the season and the 20th of her career.

Backcourt Assists
Each of Miami’s three starting guards – Shenise Johnson, Riquna Williams, and Stephanie Yderstrom –  had four assists apiece today.

Faces in the Crowd
-Men’s Basketball Center Reggie Johnson, guard Garrius Adams and forward Raphael Akepijiori
-Miami Wide Receiver Leonard Hankerson