Miami to Host Florida in Second Round of WNIT
March 20, 2010
CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s basketball team will host the Florida Gators in the second round of the WNIT,Sunday, March 21 at 2 p.m. at the BankUnited Center.
Florida (14-16) at Miami (18-13)
Sunday, March 21, 2010 / BankUnited Center / Coral Gables, Fla. / 2 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: 99.5 WBXY FM – Gainesville, Fla.
Web/Live Stats: www.hurricanesports.com
Internet Video: None
Internet Audio: gatorzone.com
Miami is coming of its first postseason win since a 95-83 victory over cross-town foe FIU in the first round of the 2006 WNIT. The Hurricanes trailed by as much as 11 points in the first half to Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday, before their suffocating defense shut down the Eagles in the second period.
Shenise Johnson led all players with 20 points and seven assists, she also added six rebounds. Both Charmaine Clark and Morgan Stroman scored 13 points for the ‘Canes and Diane Barnes grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds – the 11th time that she has pulled down double-digit boards this season.
Riquna Williams and Johnson are the second and third-most prolific scorers in the ACC this season, pouring in 19.4 and 18.5 points per contest – ranking 13th and 26th in the nation, respectively.
A Look at the Gators
Florida enters Sunday’s matchup having lost six of its last eight games. However, UF defeated South Florida 61-54, Thursday night in its WNIT opener. Florida qualified for the WNIT as the SEC’s automatic bid.
The Gators are led by Steffi Sorensen who is averaging 9.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Jordan Jones and Sharielle Smith score 9.2 and 8.6 points per game apiece. Lonnika Thompson leads the team with 84 assists on the season.
Florida is averaging 62.3 points and 38.3 rebounds per game as a team. It is shooting 38.1 percent (685-1797) from the floor, 30.1 percent (211-701) from beyond the arc and 68.6 percent (350-510) from the free throw line. The Gators also register 8.9 steals and 3.8 blocked shots per outing, while holding their opponents to 63.6 points per game and a shooting percentage of 40.3 (723-1793).
The Series
Sunday will mark the 42nd meeting between the two programs, but the first since a Dec. 12, 2003 Hurricanes’ 80-75 win in Coral Gables. However, the Gators hold a 28-13 all-time advantage in the series.
