Canes Hold Off DePaul, Improve to 8-0

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami (8-0) got off to a hot start, held off DePaul’s late push and used five double-digit scoring performances to defeat the Blue Demons (5-5), 75-70, Friday, Dec. 8. 

The Canes had the lead for over 37 minutes, only trailing for 41 seconds thanks to a resilient and well-rounded Miami performance. 

UM is 8-0 for the second time under head coach Katie Meier. Additionally, it’s the deepest into December that the Canes have been undefeated in Coach Meier’s tenure. 

FINAL | MIAMI 75, DEPAUL 70

Jaida Patrick started the scoring for Miami, getting to the hoop for a layup before making a three-pointer in transition for a 5-2 lead. Kyla Oldcare converted a bucket in the paint, giving Miami an early 7-0 run and the upper hand at the first media timeout. Lemyah Hylton made a three after a series of great passes, expanding the Miami lead to 14-5 at the three-minute mark in the first.

An 8-0 Miami run keyed the Canes’ hot start to the second, propelling UM to a 23-8 advantage. Hylton uncorked consecutive three-pointers to jolt Miami ahead, 34-15 with 5:12 remaining in the second. DePaul was able to find its first stretch of consistent offense, going on a 10-2 run as UM took a 36-25 lead into the break. Miami drained six three-pointers in the first half, while holding DePaul to 1-for-16 from deep.

The Blue Demons started the second half on a 5-0 run, getting within single digits for the first time since early in the second quarter. Oldacre stopped the bleeding, scoring in the paint to bring Miami’s lead to eight. DePaul would chip away, getting within one, but Miami didn’t relent, using an 8-0 run to open up a 51-42 lead through the third quarter. Lashae Dwyer capped that run with a banked-in three-pointer at the buzzer.

DePaul doubled up the scoring through the first stoppage of the fourth, going on a 12-6 run to get within a possession. Oldcare made a contested bucket as the shot clock expired, pushing the lead back to five. The Blue Demons had a chance to take their first lead of the second half, but Miami forced an air ball and Shayeann Day-Wilson scored a physical layup at the other end. The Blue Demons connected on a three-pointer in transition to take a 63-62 lead with 2:59 to go, its first advantage since leading 2-0.

Hylton answered on the other end with a mid-range bucket to regain the lead. Patrick collected a free throw miss and made a massive layup, pushing the lead to 66-63. She delivered in the clutch once again, sinking a three-pointer to grow the lead to six. DePaul drained another three-pointer, but Day-Wilson made a free throw and the Canes caused a Blue Demons turnover to put the game on ice.

“I think Kyla Oldacre saved us. I just couldn’t believer her performance…It was a huge, efficient effort by Kyla,” head coach Katie Meier said. “Jasmyne is just ‘Steady-Eddy’, a player at every spot. Jaida Patrick, what a performance and that three-pointer was huge. They’re just coming along!”

NOTES

• It was the third meeting between Miami and DePaul
• It was the first-ever meeting between the two teams in Coral Gables
• Miami played its 268th game against a Big East opponent having formerly been a member of the Big East Conference
• Miami’s last win against a current member of the Big East Conference was a 63-55 victory against No. 19 Marquette Nov. 15, 2018
• Patrick scored seven-first quarter points after notching nine against NJIT
• Miami held DePaul to 1-for-16 from beyond the arc in the first frame
• UM is 8-0 for the second time under head coach Katie Meier
• Five Canes posted double-digit scoring nights

UP NEXT
Miami heads to San Antonio, Texas to take on No. 10/14 Baylor Saturday, Dec. 16 in the Hall of Fame Series.