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| Michelle Woods(10)(Photo Credit: USA Today) |
Canes Rising Contributor
Katie Meier's team is still dancing, following a thrilling 86-80 victory of the Washington Huskies. This was basketball at its finest , with both teams facing and overcoming adversity throughout. Following a big Miami run midway through the second half, the Huskies came back with a vengeance, forcing the 'Canes to hold on down the stretch.The 'Canes advance, but the road doesn't get any easier as their next opponent, Iowa is playing on their home floor.
Quick Shots
Money Mot Cashes In-- If you read the Gameday Report, you knew that for the 'Canes to have a chance, Adrienne Motley had to be a major factor. Motley was more than a factor, she was the best player on the floor. Money Mot was outstanding, scoring thirty points and dominating the game with her athleticism.The most impressive part of her performance was that it was incredibly efficient. Motley connected on 55% of her field goals, and 80% of her free throw attempts. The most dangerous teams in March are the teams with star guards, and Miami has a supernova.
Unsung Heroes--Adrienne Motley may be the unquestioned star, but she isn't winning games by herself, she is getting a ton of help. On Friday, Miami's mostly unknown supporting cast had one of their best performances of the season. Jessica Thomas, a player who emerged late in the season scored nineteen points, and snagged six rebounds. That's not a bad haul coming from a woman who stands 5'6''. Thomas' performance wasn't unexpected, but Erykah Davenport's was. Davenport grabbed a game high thirteen rebounds, and scored six points. Necole Sterling, a talented shooter also came alive against the Huskies, scoring eleven points. To beat a team like Washington, everyone has to chip in. On Friday, everyone that Katie Meier played contributed.
Spotless Glass--One could eat off of the backboards at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, as the 'Canes cleaned them to perfection. Washington had a size advantage, but Miami owned the glass, outrebounding the Huskies 46-40. Outside of Erykah Davenport's effort, there were other players who stepped up. Seven players out of the nine who played had at least four rebounds, that's the definition of TEAM rebounding. Washington jacked up shot after shot, and the 'Canes were able to make sure that the Huskies didn't get second and third opportunities. That's where this game turned. Washington wasn't great from deep(10/29), and the 'Canes made sure that the Huskies were one and done on the offensive end.
Shoot to Kill--While the Huskies struggled from beyond the arc, Miami was hot from the perimeter, shooting 58.3% from deep. It was the three ball that allowed Miami to jump on top of the favored Huskies early and build a double digit lead midway through the second half. The 'Canes did an outstanding job of finding open shooters, and putting them in position to score. Necole Sterling, Michelle Woods and Adrienne Motley tied for the team lead with two long treys each. If you don't know who Ms. Sterling is, now's a good time to learn, she can light it up beyond the arc. The only place the 'Canes didn't shoot well was from the charity stripe, connecting on only 62.5% of their attempts. The three ball is the great equalizer, and it allowed Miami to stay with an outstanding Washington team, and ultimately helped the 'Canes pull off the upset.
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