Marshall Drops 21, Miami Defeats Florida State
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s basketball team defeated in-state rival Florida State, 59-52, Thursday night at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. As a team, Miami knocked down 11 3-pointers to tally the Hurricanes’ first win in Tallahassee, Fla., since Feb. 16, 2014.
“The upperclassmen stepped up in a rivalry game and they got a win in a place they’ve never gotten one before,” head coach Katie Meier said. “I couldn’t be happier for Mykea Gray and Destiny Harden. Kelsey [Marshall]’s been amazing this whole year, but Mykea and Destiny have had a rough year with injuries and rehabbing. They were all clutch and I thought they played phenomenally.”
It was a veteran-led win for the Hurricanes (10-6, 3-3 ACC) as Marshall dropped a 20-piece, pouring in 21 points on 7-of-19 shooting. Fellow upperclassmen Mykea Gray and Destiny Harden each tallied 10 points in the game as the trio combined for 41 points.
Miami dominated the boards, outrebounding Florida State (8-8, 2-4 ACC), 47-30, and hauling in 19 offensive rebounds. The Canes’ 11 threes in the game ties their season high for shots from beyond the arc and Marshall paved the way with five. For the eighth time this season, Miami recorded double-digit steals, finishing the night with 11, with four coming from Harden.
Turnovers and fouls plagued the Canes in the first quarter as they committed seven and six, respectively. Florida State used a perfect 9-of-9 effort at the charity stripe to take a six-point lead in the first, but Marshall knocked down three 3-pointers to make it an 18-13 game in favor of the Seminoles at the end of one.
Florida State extended its lead to 10 in the first minute of the second quarter, but a 3-pointer by Destiny Harden ignited the Canes’ offense and Miami stormed back, embarking on a 16-0 run to take its first lead since the 5:59 mark in the first quarter. Four different Canes hit a three in the second to give Miami a 29-27 lead at the break.
It was an all-out battle in the third quarter as the frame featured six lead changes and three ties. Gray was the driving force for the Canes offense, pouring in eight of her 10 points in the third on 3-of-5 shooting, including a pair of baskets from deep. Miami and Florida State each posted 15 points in the frame to give Miami a two-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
The Canes defense closed out the game in the fourth quarter, holding the Seminoles to just two baskets and 20 percent shooting. Miami outscored Florida State, 15-10, in the final 10 minutes, highlighted by a five-point fourth quarter effort from Harden. Crucial free throws down the stretch by Harden and junior Lola Pendande solidified the 59-52 victory for the Canes.
“We have a tough stretch here where we have these four games in a week. We are 2-1 right now and Boston College is going to be a heck of a challenge,” Meier said. “This was really an important game to win. It really keeps us in the middle of the pack here and it’s really important to win road games in the conference and we already have two road wins.”
The Canes remain on the road, heading north to Chestnut Hill, Mass., to take on the Boston College Eagles on Sunday. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. and the game will air on Bally Sports networks.
Single-game and season tickets for the 2021-22 women’s basketball season are on sale now and can be purchased here.
