Miami to Host Florida Gulf Coast in WNIT Opener
March 17, 2010
CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s basketball team will host its first WNIT game since the 2005-06 season when it welcomes the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles on Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center.
Florida Gulf Coast (24-6) at Miami (17-13)
Thursday, March 18, 2010 / BankUnited Center / Coral Gables, Fla. / 7 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: 90.5 WVUM
Web/Live Stats: www.hurricanesports.com
Internet Video: None
Internet Audio: wvum.org
Miami returns to the postseason for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign. Led by Tamara James, that team went 1-1 in the WNIT defeating cross-town foe FIU, 95-83, then falling at Virginia, 83-72.
This season, the Hurricanes are led by explosive sophomores – Shenise Johnson and Riquna Williams. Johnson earned First Team All-ACC and All-ACC Defensive Team honors, while Williams was named Second Team All-ACC.
Williams scored 19.8 points per game this season – the 13th best output in the nation. The Pahokee, Fla. native also led the conference with a school record-breaking 85 three pointers on the season.
Johnson scores 18.5 points per night and is just 71 points shy of scoring 1,000 for her career. The Henrietta, N.Y. native also leads her team with 4.4 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game.
A Look at the Eagles
Florida Gulf Coast enters its third straight WNIT after compiling a 24-6 record. FGCU is ineligible for conference and NCAA tournaments as they complete a mandatory transitional phase from Division II.
The Eagles are led by Chelsea Lyles who is averaging 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Adrianne McNally and Shannon Murphy score 12.8 and 11.0 points per game apiece. Murphy also leads the team with 128 assists on the season.
Florida Gulf Coast is averaging 70.3 points and 32.5 rebounds per game as a team. It is shooting 41.9 percent (692-1651) from the floor, 36.3 percent (310-854) from beyond the arc and 72.3 percent (416-575) from the free throw line. The Eagles also register 8.4 steals and 1.9 blocked shots per outing, while holding their opponents to 58.1 points per game and a shooting percentage of 32.0 (619-1575).
The Series
Although it is just a 100-mile drive on I-75 between the two programs – Miami and Florida Gulf Coast have yet to compete against one another.
