Miami Dominant in Win Over Alcorn State

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – In its first game back since knocking off No. 11 Georgetown on Tuesday, the University of Miami women’s basketball team showed no signs of a letdown against Alcorn State as the Hurricanes cruised to a 94-32 victory Saturday afternoon at the BankUnited Center.

Four different players scored in double-figures for the `Canes, led by Riquna Williams’ 18 points. The junior also added a game-high four steals and four assists – tied with Sylvia Bullock and Stefanie Yderstrom for the team lead.

Yderstrom matched her season-high with 14 points and was key to a defense that pressured Alcorn State into 30 turnovers. It was the third time this season that the Hurricanes forced its opponent to 30 or more turnovers and it led to 35 points on the day.

Miami also got a boost off the bench from sophomore Shanel Williams. The guard poured in a career-high tying 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting.

Shenise Johnson added 16 points and seven rebounds and increased her double-figure scoring streak to 47 consecutive games.

The Hurricanes shot 61.9 percent from the field, by far their best effort of the season. The high shooting percentage was aided by the `Canes dominance in the paint as they outscored the Braves 62-18.

Alcorn State’s Sharnika Breedlove scored six points and had a game-high 12 rebounds before fouling out with 4:17 left in the ball game.

Miami, now 9-1 on the season, has won eight straight games and has improved its home win streak to 13 games – the fourth longest streak in school history.

The `Canes now have seven days between games during finals week and will be back in action in the final contest of a season-high nine-game homestand Dec. 18 against UC Riverside.

POST-GAME NOTES

The win today…
-is Miami’s eighth in a row
-improves Miami’s record to 9-1
-improves Miami’s record to 9-0 at home, and is the 13th straight win at home dating back to last season.
-Is the first meeting between the two schools
-Marks the second straight season Miami has started 9-1

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 ten games this year.

Today’s Opponent
Alcorn State visited the Bank United Center for the first time in program history today. ASU is the Alma Mater of Miami Assistant Coach Vernette Skeete.

Defensive Pressure
The Hurricanes, who have forced at least 20 opponent turnovers in every game this season, did it again, forcing the Braves into 30 turnovers to just five assists. The 11 field goals allowed are the fewest allowed this season, and the .214 field goal percentage is the lowest allowed on the year. At many points during today’s game, the Braves had fewer points than turnovers, and were held scoreless for the first 3:27 of the game. The 32 points is the fewest allowed by Miami this year, and the fewest the `Canes have allowed since allowing 30 at South Florida on Nov. 23, 1996.

The 62-point margin of victory is the largest of the year and the largest since a 111-44 win over Morris Brown on Nov. 25, 2002.

Shenise Continues the Streak
Junior guard Shenise Johnson, with her 16 points today, has now scored in double figures for the 47th straight game.

Backcourt Dominance
Today, the Hurricanes had four players in double-figures, Shenise Johnson, Riquna Williams, Stefanie Yderstrom, and Shanel Williams. S. Williams set a new season-high, and tied a career-high with 13 points. Yderstrom tied a season-high with 14 points, while adding four assists. This is the fourth time this season that Miami had at least four players in double figures.

Faces in the Crowd
-Men’s Basketball Head Coach Frank Haith
-University of Miami President Donna Shalala

-UM wide receiver Leonard Hankerson