@MiamiWBB Begins February at Pittsburgh
Feb. 1, 2015 | 1:00 p.m.
Petersen Events Center | Pittsburgh
TV: ESPN3
Radio: WVUM 90.5 FM
Live Stats will be available Here
–/RV Miami (15-5, 5-2 ACC) at Pittsburgh (13-7, 3-4 ACC)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule | Stats | Game Notes
The Game
The Hurricanes, receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll for the third straight week, will play at Pittsburgh Sunday, Feb. 1 at 1:00 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center.
The Series
Miami has a 17-8 advantage in the all-time series against the Panthers, including a 12-4 record over the past 16 meetings. The Hurricanes have won five in a row against Pittsburgh, with the most recent matchup a 67-54 home victory last season on March 2, 2014 in the teams’ first contest in ACC play.
The Broadcasts
The game will be televised live on ESPN3 with Jeff Hatthorn and Jen Tuscano on the call. WVUM 90.5 FM will broadcast the game as well and it will also be streamed online at WVUM.org.
The Team
Head coach Katie Meier’s team features eight returnees, including three starters: junior forward Keyona Hayes, senior guard Suriya McGuire and sophomore guard Adrienne Motley.
A native of Newport News, Va., Motley has scored at least 15 points 15 times this season and was named both the espnW National Player of the Week and ACC Player of the Week Jan. 12. Motley is one of three players to start every game this season, along with redshirt senior forward Jassany Williams and sophomore guard Jessica Thomas. Senior forward Necole Sterling is a key part of Miami’s frontcourt and has started each of the past five games.
Redshirt freshman guard Nigia Greene and redshirt junior guard Michelle Woods are back after missing the 2013-14 season due to injury and have combined to average 13.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game thus far.
Additionally, the Hurricanes have four new faces this season, featuring a mix of local and talent. Miami’s newcomers are all freshmen and consist of forwards Erykah Davenport, Keyanna Harris and Khaila Prather, as well as guard Aisha Edwards.
Miami is first in the Atlantic Coast Conference and top 30 in the NCAA in scoring defense, allowing just 56.0 points a game. The Hurricanes also rank among the top 20 teams in the NCAA with a +6.0 turnover margin.
The Coach
Katie Meier is in her tenth year at the helm in Coral Gables, Fla., and is continuing to build upon the team’s many recent successes. The Hurricanes have made five consecutive postseason appearances, three in the NCAA Tournament and two in the WNIT, and have also had over 20 wins in four of the past five seasons. Meier holds a career record of 254-171, including a record of 178-126 at Miami.
Meier picked up her 250th career victory in Miami’s win over Boston College Jan. 4 and she got the 100th conference victory of her career in the Hurricanes’ win at Virginia Tech Jan. 11. She has guided the Hurricanes to a 50-21 record (.704) in ACC play since the start of the 2010-11 season.
Last Time Out
Facing its second top five opponent of the season and its second straight ranked road opponent, Miami fell 68-55 at fourth-ranked Louisville Sunday, Jan. 25. The Hurricanes led by as many as 13 points in the game, but the Cardinals used a strong second half to take the victory at the KFC Yum! Center. Adrienne Motley led Miami with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Michelle Woods added 10 points in a season-high 30 minutes of play.
Up Next
After two weeks without a home game, Miami will host Virginia Tech Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the BankUnited Center. The Hurricanes defeated the Hokies 62-45 in Blacksburg, Va. on Jan. 11.
