Miami Downs Clemson for Second ACC Win

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Miami women’s basketball team is back in the win column after downing the Clemson Tigers, 80-71, Sunday at the Watsco Center. Senior guard Endia Banks tallied the second 20-point outing of her career, pacing the Canes on offense.

Banks put together another gamer performance with 20 points, six rebounds and three assists in the contest. The Duluth, Ga., native went 9-of-13 from the field in the game, tying her career-high in made field goals at nine.

As a team, Miami shot 46.5 percent in the game, its highest shooting percentage of the season. Kelsey Marshall joined Banks in double-figures with 19 points of her own, the senior guard’s sixth double-digit outing of the season.

On the boards, the Canes outrebounded the Tigers 45-32, including 16 offensive rebounds. For the fourth time this season, senior guard Taylor Mason led the team on the glass, hauling in eight rebounds.

The game tempo was fast from the get-go as the teams traded baskets and the lead throughout the first quarter. Seven first-quarter points from Banks helped Miami to a 20-14 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes.

The Canes carried their momentum into the second frame, shooting 56.3 percent from the field in the quarter. Harden and Banks put up back-to-back layups at the halfway mark to spark a 17-2 run for the Canes. Over that span, Miami went 8-of-10 from the field with contributions from four different Canes.

The teams battled throughout the third quarter, going basket-for-basket and finishing with 17 points each in the frame. Banks capped the quarter with a long jumper as time expired to keep the lead at 14 for the Canes.

Miami stayed aggressive in the final 10 minutes thanks in part to a dominant offensive effort from Marshall, who poured in nine points in the quarter. The Canes knocked down seven of their last 11 shots to close out the game and take the 80-71 victory.