Williams Catalyzes No. 24 Canes in 59-52 Win Against Jackson State

CORAL GABLES, Fla.  – Miami women’s basketball dominated on the defensive end, generating 19 steals as the Canes (9-1) held off a tough Jackson State (5-5) team, 59-52, Wednesday, Dec. 20. 

Ja’Leah Williams had seven of those 19 steals, scoring 12 points on 6-for-10 shooting. Jaida Patrick paced Miami with 15 points, keying the Miami offense early and late. 

UM is 9-1 for the fourth time under head coach Katie Meier, while improving to 8-0 at home on the season.

“There is a reason these two [Ja’Leah Williams and Jaida Patrick] are captains,” head coach Katie Meier said. “They just showed a toughness and will to win and we needed that.”

FINAL | Miami 59, Jackson State 52

Miami jumped out to an 8-2 lead, but Jackson State replied with an 8-0 run of its own. Patrick paced Miami with 11 first quarter points as the Canes held a 17-14 lead through the first ten minutes on the court.

Both sides generated only six points through the first five and half minutes of the second frame as UM held a 23-20 advantage. JSU took its first lead of a defense-heavy second frame with a three-pointer at the 2:42 mark. Jasmyne Roberts connected on a three-pointer to even the game up at 28-28 heading into the half.

Williams gave a jolt to Miami in the second half, swiping consecutive steals that generated two-straight layups in transition. Miami took a 38-30 lead after Jackson State was charged with a technical foul, giving UM its largest lead of the game. The Canes remained in front by three, 44-41, to close out the third, just as it had begun the second half.

Patrick got in the paint and scored on a layup, pushing the lead to five early in the fourth. Jackson State replied again, tying it at 48-48 after a deep three-pointer. Kyla Oldacare gathered a miss and made the layup, bringing the lead to 50-48. Williams answered with her sixth steal, which created another layup in transition. UM stayed ahead, got big stops and Roberts swished in a clutch three-pointer to help put the game away.

“I just give credit to Fitz [Associated Head Coach Fitzroy Anthony],” Williams said. “He brought me and Lashae aside and said we need you two to be the dogs. I’m always willing to do whatever this team needs me to do, whether it’s pass or get a teammate open. I’m willing to do the little things and that’s my standard.”

NOTES

• It was the fifth-ever meeting between the two teams
• Jackson State was picked to win its conference per the preseason coaches poll
• UM wore Coral Gables trolley themed jerseys
• Patrick has scored at least seven points in each of the last three home games, paced by tonight’s 11
• Williams’ seven steals was the most since Lashae Dwyer went for eight against North Florida Dec. 4, 2022
• Miami’s 19 steals was its most since posting 22 against Boston College Jan. 26, 2023.

UP NEXT
The Canes wrap up non-conference play at home Thursday, Dec. 28 at noon against Alabama State.