Miami women’s basketball pulled off a remarkable comeback, staging an unforgettable turnaround from an 18-point deficit in the second quarter to force overtime and claim a thrilling 75-72 victory over Clemson on Thursday, Feb. 8th.
This impressive rally marked Miami’s second-largest halftime comeback in program history, falling just one point short of their record-setting performance against Georgia Tech on Jan. 30, 2021. The intensity of the comeback mirrored their 17-point turnaround against Oklahoma State in the previous NCAA Championship.
The game began with Jasmyne Roberts scoring the first basket for Miami, but Clemson quickly took control, hitting two three-pointers as part of an 18-4 surge, prompting Miami to call a timeout with 2:16 left in the first quarter.
Miami’s Shayeann Day-Wilson ignited a spark with a steal and score, followed by Lashae Dwyer’s buzzer-beating jumper to close the first quarter. However, Clemson continued to dominate, entering halftime with a commanding 39-22 lead.
The second half saw a resurgence from Miami, with Jaida Patrick hitting back-to-back three-pointers after a scoreless first half from beyond the arc. Day-Wilson contributed another three-pointer as Miami narrowed the deficit to six before the first media timeout of the second half. Day-Wilson’s nine third-quarter points helped Miami outscore Clemson by 10 points in the period, reducing the margin to seven heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Lazaria Spearman led the charge, cutting the deficit to five with her aggressive play. Miami kept pushing, with Latasha Lattimore’s crucial three-pointer trimming the lead to 57-51 with 7:04 remaining. As the tension mounted, Miami’s defense tightened, holding Clemson to just 19 points in the second half.
With Miami trailing by four late in regulation, Day-Wilson stepped up, drawing a foul on a three-point attempt and sinking all three free throws to tie the game at 61-61 and force overtime.
In overtime, Miami seized control, with Day-Wilson draining a three-pointer and setting up Spearman for a layup to give the Canes a 66-61 lead. Despite Clemson’s efforts to mount a comeback, Miami held on, securing a hard-fought victory.
Reflecting on the game, head coach Katie Meier praised Clemson’s strong performance in the first half and credited her team’s resilience in staging the comeback. Miami’s bench proved instrumental, outscoring Clemson by 24 points, while the team’s defensive effort held Clemson to just seven field goals in the second half.
Miami’s victory over Clemson was not only a thrilling comeback but also marked several noteworthy milestones and statistics. It was the 28th meeting between the two teams and the first of two scheduled matchups for the season. Additionally, the game served as Miami’s inaugural home game of February, kicking off a stretch of five home games in the next eight matchups.
The overtime victory against Clemson was Miami’s first of the season, adding to the significance of the comeback. Despite trailing for much of the game, Miami managed to hold the lead for five and a half crucial minutes, demonstrating their resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
A remarkable turnaround occurred in the second half, highlighted by Miami’s proficiency from beyond the arc. All eight of Miami’s three-pointers came in the second half, contributing significantly to their offensive resurgence.
The comeback victory also etched its name in the annals of Miami basketball history as the second-largest halftime turnaround in program history. Miami’s bench played a pivotal role in the victory, outscoring Clemson by an impressive margin of 24 points.
Furthermore, the balanced scoring effort from Miami saw three players finishing in double figures. Defensively, Miami stifled Clemson in the second half, limiting them to a mere 19 points and holding them to just seven field goals.
Miami’s dominance extended to the rebounding battle, where they outworked Clemson by grabbing 10 more rebounds in the second half. This dominance on the boards contributed to controlling the pace of the game and thwarting Clemson’s offensive opportunities.
Looking ahead, Miami will head out on the road for an ACC matchup against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Sunday, February 11th, and tip-off is set for 2:00 P.M. EST.
