Miami Tops IUPUI To Close Out Homestand
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s basketball team secured its third win of the season on Sunday, defeating the IUPUI Jaguars, 74-65, at the Watsco Center. Junior guard Endia Banks set a new career-high with 23 points in the contest.
“Endia [Banks] was spectacular today,” head coach Katie Meier said. “Her defense was astounding and I just couldn’t take her off the court. She was chasing and playing and pressing and trapping. For her to have 13 shots is great, as well.”
The upperclassmen were a vital part of the win for Miami accounting for 71 of the Canes’ 74 points on Sunday. Banks tallied five steals and three rebounds to go along with her 23 points and four assists in the contest, while redshirt senior Beatrice Mompremier recorded her second double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Junior Mykea Gray was one of the game-changers for Miami, scoring all 16 of her points in the fourth quarter.
Ultimately the game came down to defense and getting to the free throw line. Miami outrebounded IUPUI 32-26, in addition to forcing 23 turnovers in the game. The Canes capitalized on the IUPUI mistakes, totaling 33 points off turnovers. Miami drew 24 fouls in the contest and made its trips to the charity stripe count, hitting 19-of-22 shots.
“Going into the game and preparing for the game, I really felt like this was an ACC opponent,” Meier said. “I tried to get my team there mentally and, by the fourth quarter, we did exactly what we had prepared to do and that is great.”
It was a back-and-forth affair to start the game as both teams took a lead in the first half. With the game tied at 21 at the 4:56 mark in the second quarter, Miami used a 16-4 run to take a 37-25 lead into the locker room. The Jaguars came out firing in the second half, knocking down 10-of-14 shots in the third frame to hold a 49-46 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
After a quiet first three quarters, Gray drew an and-one shot on a 3-pointer and converted the resulting 4-point play to put the Canes back on top, 52-51. The junior guard provided a much-needed spark for Miami, facilitating a 12-0 run in the heart of the fourth quarter to help the Canes to a 74-65 victory.
Miami hits the road for the first time this season on Friday, traveling to Chicago to take part in the Maggie Dixon Classic. The Canes will face North Carolina A&T on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. (CT) at McGrath Phillips Arena.
Season and single-game tickets for the 2019-20 women’s basketball home schedule are on sale now and start a $75 and $5, respectively. Tickets can be purchased online HERE or by calling the ticket office at 1-800-GO-CANES.
To keep up with the University of Miami women’s basketball team on social media, follow @CanesWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
