Canes Women’s Basketball Bounces Back against Clemson Tigers, Reaching Ten Wins in Conference Play

The University of Miami women’s basketball team took down the Clemson Tigers, 59-54 on Thursday night, while recording their tenth Atlantic Coast Conference victory of the 2022-2023 season at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida.

The Hurricanes women’s basketball team sports a record of 17-9 overall and 10-5 in the ACC. With this win they have now reached the 10-win mark in conference play for the sixth time in the last eight years and ninth overall instance under the direction of head coach Katie Meier.

“Clemson forced the game to be a Clemson-like game. Credit to their staff and their kids for playing so darn hard,” Meier said. “In that second quarter, I think you saw a really great Miami team. We locked in and played defense.”

Graduate student Destiny Harden recorded her third double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points and a team-high 11 rebounds on the night. LifeWallet athlete and Senior guard Haley Cavinder joined Harden in double-digit scoring, by way of 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the floor.

“I think Destiny is as reliable as you can be, in terms of going and getting the ball for her team,” Meier said. “With 17 [points] and 11 [rebounds], plus drawing seven fouls. She was the most active player on the court.”

Sophomore Ja’Leah Williams brought a season-high five assists to go along with six points, two blocks and two steals. Miami, as a team, recorded an assist on 71 percent of their made shots over the duration of the game.

Miami and Clemson would shoot a twin-like 7-of-16 field goal percentage in the first quarter, but a barrage of Clemson 3-pointers put the visiting Tigers ahead, 18-15, after 10 minutes in the first quarter of play.

The Hurricanes offense would catch fire in the second quarter, they would start the quarter on an 11-point unanswered run. Haley Cavinder and Destiny Harden would both total 11 points in the second quarter and the Hurricanes shot 90 percent from the hardwood floor to extend their lead to nine heading into the locker room at the half.

Clemson and Miami would trade points in the third quarter, Haley Cavinder notched seven of Miami’s 13 points in the third. The Hurricanes would race past the Tigers in the fourth quarter, while surviving an 8-1 Clemson run in the final five minutes of regulation. 

The Canes will head out on the road Sunday to take on the Syracuse Orange for their second to last matchup of the 2022-2023 season. Tipoff is set at the JMA Wireless Dome for 1:00 P.M. EST and the game will be broadcasted live on the Bally Sports Network.