@CanesWBB to Host Pittsburgh at the BUC

Miamivs.Pittsburgh

THE POLLS
	NR	RV
	NR	RV

TEAM STATS
Record	8-6 (0-1 ACC)	13-2 (1-1 ACC)
Points	62.9	75.3
Points Allowed	58.7	58.6

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
	POINTS			REBOUNDS
	Walters	12.9		Wise	7.1
	Motley	15.5		Hayes	6.5
	ASSISTS			BLOCKS
	Bugg	3.9		Carey	1.9
	Thomas	3.5		Hof	0.9
	3FG			STEALS
	Bugg	0.9		Carey	1.6
	Cornelius/Thomas	1.7		Thomas	2.1

The Game
Miami, receiving votes in both the AP Poll and the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, is set to face Pittsburgh Thursday night at the BankUnited Center. The contest is scheduled for 7 p.m.  Tickets are $5, with youth 12-and-under admitted free of charge.

The Series
The Hurricanes hold a 17-9 edge in the all-time series with the Panthers, including a 12-1 advantage at home. Miami has won 10 of the past 13 matchups, including five of the last six. The teams are 1-1 against each other in ACC play, with Pittsburgh winning the most recent game, 81-66, on its home court on Feb. 1, 2015.

The Team
Eight Hurricanes are back from a team that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2014-15. That group includes a trio of starters who are now the team captains: junior guard Adrienne Motley, a Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List selection, junior guard Jessica Thomas and redshirt senior guard Michelle Woods.

One of the eight returnees is redshirt junior forward Keyona Hayes, who missed last season due to an ankle injury after leading the team in rebounding in 2013-14. The Hurricanes also have a quartet of sophomores in forward/center Erykah Davenport, guard Nigia Greene (redshirt sophomore), forward Keyanna Harris and forward Khaila Prather.

Additionally, Miami has four new players in the fold this season in guard Laura Cornelius, forward/center Emese Hof, forward/center Zada Williams and guard/forward Shaneese Bailey, who will sit out the season as a transfer from Florida Atlantic.

The Coach
Katie Meier, in her 11th season in Coral Gables, Fla., has led Miami to great heights during her tenure. Since 2009-10, the Wheaton, Ill., native has directed the program to its greatest six-year stretch ever, making the postseason in all six years, with five 20-plus win seasons and four NCAA Tournament appearances.

Meier has guided Miami to 54 victories in ACC play over the past five seasons, the second-most of any team in the conference. The 2010-11 AP National Coach of the Year  is in her 15th season as a head coach, spending the first four at Charlotte, and owns a career record of 272-181, including 196-136 at Miami.

The Opponent
Pittsburgh is 8-6 on the season, including 0-1 in ACC, dropping its conference opener at home to third-ranked Notre Dame, 65-55, Sunday. Two Panthers are averaging double figures in scoring in freshman forward Kalista Walters (12.9) and sophomore forward Yacine Diop (10.9). Pittsburgh was tabbed No. 10 in the ACC preseason poll after posting a 20-12 (9-7 ACC) record in 2014-15 and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Last Time Out
The Hurricanes dropped just their second contest of the season Sunday at Virginia, falling 76-56 to the Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va. Miami was led by 12 points from Thomas, while Hayes and Hof chipped in with nine points each in the defeat.

Up Next
Miami heads to the Palmetto State to face the Clemson Tigers at Jervey Gym Sunday. The game is set for 4 p.m. at Jervey Gym.

Promotions
As is the case for all women’s basketball games at the BankUnited Center this season, youth 12-and-under will receive free admission. Team posters, schedule cards and new rules infographics will be available at the marketing table by the main entrance.

Additionally, there will be a chalk talk in the Hurricane 100 Room at 5:45 p.m. All season ticket holders are invited to attend the event, for which doors open at 5:30 p.m.