`Canes to Host North Carolina A&T in Third Round of WNIT

`Canes to Host North Carolina A&T in Third Round of WNIT

March 24, 2010

 

CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s basketball team will host the North Carolina A&T Aggies in the third round of the WNIT, Thursday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center.

 

North Carolina A&T (23-10) at Miami (19-13)

Thursday, March 25, 2010 / BankUnited Center / Coral Gables, Fla.  / 7 p.m.

 

TV: None

Radio: 90.5 WVUM FM

Web/Live Stats: www.hurricanesports.com

Internet Video: None

Internet Audio: hurricanesports.com

                            

With Sunday’s 77-64 win over the Florida Gators in the second round of the WNIT, the `Canes became the first team in program history to win two postseason games. Last Thursday in the opening round, Miami defeated Florida Gulf Coast 70-57.

               

Sophomore phenom Shenise Johnson once again led the way for the Hurricanes as she scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season – the second-most in the ACC. She was also only two assists shy of her first triple-double.

               

Three others scored in double-figures for Miami as seniors Charmaine Clark and Diane Barnes poured in 16 and 13 points respectively. Riquna Williams, coming off the bench scored 15 en route to the coast-to-coast victory.

 

A Look at the Aggies

North Carolina A&T enters Thursday’s matchup having defeated Wake Forest, 73-49 and Charlotte, 79-70 – marking the first time that a HBCU women’s program has won two games in the same postseason.

               

The Aggies are led by Ta’Wuana Cook who is averaging 16.8 points and 2.4 steals per game. Jaleesa Sams and Amber Calvin score 11.3 and 10.8 points per game apiece. Lamona Smalley leads the team with 7.8 rebounds on the season.

               

North Carolina A&T is averaging 71.8 points and 39.2 rebounds per game as a team. It is shooting 43.1 percent (840-1948) from the floor, 34.8 percent (180-517) from beyond the arc and 69.3 percent (508-733) from the free throw line. The Aggies also register 9.7 steals and 3.6 blocked shots per outing, while holding their opponents to 64.4 points per game and a shooting percentage of 41.3 (786-1902).

 

The Series

These two programs have met only once previously, in 2005. In that contest Miami trounced the Aggies by 39 points, 104-65.