Canes Never Trail in Balanced Win Against NJIT

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami took the lead and never relinquished it, with all active Canes (7-0) scoring in the first half alone in a commanding 87-43 win against NJIT (5-4), Sunday, Dec. 3 from the Watsco Center.

The victory marked head coach Katie Meier’s 350th-career win as head coach at Miami, extending the Canes’ winning streak to seven games to start the 2023-24 season.

Miami had six players post double-digit scoring nights, while the bench posted over 30 points in UM’s sixth-home win of the year.

FINAL | MIAMI 87, NJIT 43

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

Jaida Patrick scored six quick points to put the Canes up 12-6 through the first four minutes of the game. Shayeann Day-Wilson pulled up from three to extend the lead to 17-8 through the first media timeout. Patrick made Miami’s second three of the game, putting Miami up double digits with her nine-first quarter points.

“I said in the locker room, I went with Jaida for player of the game because she was plus-31 and did everything,” head coach Katie Meier said. “Before the game I said to her that I need you to be my Swiss army knife, play comfortable, play confident and she did.”

Miami’s defense and offensive rebounding overwhelmed NJIT early in the second frame. Ally Stedman converted a jumper after UM’s second offensive board in the possession. Lazaria Spearman did more work on the next trip down the court, scoring the basket and getting fouled for a 37-18 lead. The advantage expanded, breaking the 20-point marker towards the end of the half.

Day-Wilson connected on a pull-up jumper followed by a three-pointer in transition to start the scoring for Miami in the second half. Latasha Lattimore made a tough bucket in the paint and Stedman drained a three off a kick-out pass for a 60-36 advantage. 

“Shayeann just had eyes in the back of her head today, it was gorgeous to watch,” Meier said.

Up 25 through three frames, Miami hit cruise and stayed well in front. Lashae Dwyer got downhill for consecutive buckets, Stedman scored at the line and Lemyah Hylton drained a three-pointer in transition to catalyze the scoring in the fourth.

“In terms of the transfers blending in, it’s also me blending with them,” Meier said. “I need to understand when they’re comfortable and when they’re not uncomfortable. You often put it on the player but you also need to put it on the coach too. In the last few weeks they’ve really spoken up to me on how I can be a better coach to them.”

NOTES

• It was the first-ever meeting between Miami and NJIT
• The Canes are 14-3 all-time against America East foes
• Day-Wilson made her first start at Miami
• Miami improved to 6-0 at home on the season
• All nine active Canes scored at least a bucket in the first half alone. Patrick posted 12 points in the first half.
• Coach Meier reached 350-career wins at Miami
• Miami’s bench posted another game of over 30-combined points

UP NEXT

Miami stays home to host DePaul Friday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.