CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s basketball team tipped off the 2020-21 season with a 74-58 victory over the Jacksonville Dolphins on Wednesday. Junior Destiny Harden tallied 16 points and 13 rebounds in the contest for her first career double-double.

“I liked that we kept the faith and we worked through some lineups,” head coach Katie Meier said. “I think Destiny Harden is going to be a real story for us this season and she just played a phenomenal game.”

Senior guard Kelsey Marshall paced the Canes on offense pouring in 22 points, with nine points coming from 3-point range. Harden, Brianna Jackson (14) and Endia Banks (10) also reached double-figures for the Canes.

As a team, the Canes outrebounded the Dolphins 51-36, with four Miami players totaling five or more boards. Miami finished the game shooting 82.8 percent from the free throw line, knocking down 24-of-29 shots.

As a team, the Canes outrebounded the Dolphins 51-36, with four Miami players totaling five or more boards. Miami finished the game shooting 82.8 percent from the free throw line, knocking down 24-of-29 shots.

Despite a slow start on offense, the Canes used a 27-18 advantage on the boards and 11 first-half points from Marshall to take a 32-26 lead into halftime. 

Miami came out of the locker room a different team, stringing together an 8-0 run early in the third quarter to take a double-digit lead over the Dolphins. During the run, Jackson shot a perfect 3-for-3 in the paint, becoming the second Hurricane to reach double-figures in the game. 

The Canes closed out the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring Jacksonville 24-17, highlighted by a 13-of-16 effort from the charity stripe.