Hurricanes Move Up to No. 17 in AP Poll

Jan. 17, 2011

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – After home victories over Atlantic Coast Conference foes Clemson and Boston College, the University of Miami women’s basketball team has moved up to No. 17 in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll.

The `Canes have opened their season with an 18-1 record and have won 17 consecutive games – the second-best win-streak in school history and tied with No. 3 Duke for the nation’s longest current streak. The Hurricanes 4-0 start in conference play is a first since joining the ACC in 2004.

Miami was led by junior guards Riquna Williams and Shenise Johnson in its perfect week. Williams and Johnson are the ACC Nos. 1 and 2 scorers in averaging 20.9 and 19.1 points per game respectively and Williams just earned her third ACC Player of the Week honor of the season after scoring a combined 62 points in the wins over the Tigers and Eagles.

The Hurricanes’ No. 17 ranking is the highest since they were ranked 17th on Jan. 26, 2004. Prior to that, Miami hadn’t been ranked as high since it was No. 16 on Dec. 15. 1992. The highest ever ranking for UM came during the 1991-92 season when it was riding a program-best 30-game win streak at No. 6.

Last season, Miami briefly earned a No. 25 ranking in the AP Poll after its 78-70 victory over then No. 13 Florida State.

The Hurricanes will return to the hardwood when they face the No. 21 Seminoles in Tallahassee, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.