Miami Travels to Providence for WNIT Quarterfinal
March 27, 2010
CORAL GABLES – The University of Miami women’s basketball team, winners of three straight WNIT games, will face the Providence Friars in the postseason tournament’s quarterfinal, Sunday, March 28 at 2 p.m. at Alumni Hall.
Miami (20-13) at Providence (19-14)
Sunday, March 28, 2010 / Alumni Hall / Providence, R.I. / 2 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: None
Web/Live Stats: www.hurricanesports.com
Internet Video: friars.com
Internet Audio: None
With Miami’s 84-77 WNIT third round win over North Carolina A&T on Thursday, the `Canes have reached 20 wins for the first time in six seasons. The 2003-04 squad advanced to the NCAA Tournament, ending with a 22-7 record. It is the second time that head coach Katie Meier has reached the 20-win mark, as she accomplished the feat when she was a fourth-year coach at Charlotte.
Five players scored in double-figures in the win for the Hurricanes, led by Riquna Williams’ 21 points. Shenise Johnson scored 20 of her own, while Charmaine Clark poured in 14 and Morgan Stroman and Diane Barnes scored 12 and 10 points respectively.
The three wins in the WNIT mark the longest postseason run in the program’s history.
A Look at the Friars
Providence enters Sunday’s WNIT quarterfinal matchup having defeated Boston University (64-58), Old Dominion (76-61) and Miami’s ACC foe Maryland (77-64).
The Friars are led by Chelse Marandola who is averaging 17.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Mi-Khida Hankins and Emily Cournoyer score 11.0 and 8.4 points per game apiece. Marandola also leads the team with 79 assists on the season.
Providence is averaging 65.2 points and 35.4 rebounds per game as a team. It is shooting 40.9 percent (799-1953) from the floor, 31.9 percent (188-590) from beyond the arc and 72.8 percent (364-500) from the free throw line. The Friars also register 8.3 steals and 4.0 blocked shots per outing, while holding their opponents to 63.3 points per game and a shooting percentage of 39.2 (717-1831).
The Series
The two teams will be meeting for the first time in six years. The former BIG EAST opponents have met a total of 23 times, with Miami holding a 17-6 advantage in the all-time series.
