Defense Swarms in 62-44 Rout of Pitt

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami (18-10, 8-9 ACC) held Pitt (8-22, 2-15 ACC) to only 15 points in the first half as the Canes defense catalyzed UM to a 62-44 rout of the Panthers Thursday, Feb. 29. 

Lashae Dwyer, Jaida Patrick and Jasmyne Roberts all scored in double figures, while the defense generated 11 steals and seven blocks. The 44 points permitted was good for the fewest allowed in league play this season.

After Thursday night’s results, Miami locked in the number nine seed in the 2024 ACC Championship. UM will square off with the number eight seed Thursday, March 7.

“We have a goal where we hold our opponents to at least one single digit quarter and we held them to two, and that was big,” head coach Katie Meier said. “Lashae Dwyer, what an inspirational performance, shooting 75 percent from three…Ja’Leah Williams was plus-24 the whole time she was in…we have to rest up for a very tough Georgia Tech team.”

FINAL | Miami 62, Pitt 44

Miami asserted its defensive pressure early, forcing six turnovers while holding Pitt scoreless for over three minutes as it created a 10-4 lead. Miami forced two shot clock violations in the first quarter, holding a 12-10 lead after the first quarter. 

The Canes swarmed Pitt to start the second, going on a 6-0 run in a span of a minute to take an 18-10 lead. UM outscored Pitt, 15-5, in the second quarter, leading 30-15 at the intermission. Patrick paced all scorers with nine in the opening half. 

Pitt matched its first half point total in the third quarter alone, cutting Miami’s lead to single digits, but Jasmyne Roberts hit an open mid-range jumper and Patrick converted a pair of free throws to bring the lead back to 13. Pitt closed the quarter on an 8-2 run, but the Canes still held a 43-36 lead. 

Lashae Dwyer hit a momentum-shifting three-pointer for the first points of the fourth, bringing Miami’s lead back to 10. That lead never slipped into single digits as Miami held Pitt to just 44 points on the evening. 

NOTES

• Miami only allowed 15 in the first half, the fewest permitted in the first half all season. Additionally, Miami only allowed five points in the second quarter.
• It was the fewest points permitted in ACC play this season
• Three Canes scored in double figures, paced by Dwyer with 17 off the bench
• The Canes held Pitt to two single-digit quarters
• Latasha Lattimore paced the way with eight rebounds
• Patrick finished with 16 points, six rebounds, three blocks and two steals

UP NEXT
The Canes conclude the regular season at home Sunday, March 3 against Georgia Tech.