Boxscore (PDF) CORAL GABLES, Fla. – For the first time ever, University of North Florida women's basketball scored over 50 points against Miami as the Ospreys began a six-game road trip with an 81-53 loss to the Hurricanes on Friday night at the BankUnited Center.
"I'm proud of the way we battled, but rebounding hurt us," said head coach
Mary Tappmeyer. "We got what we wanted when we executed our game plan, but we still missed some shots that we need to make. Miami's size and athleticism was also a factor in tonight, but we saw some very positive things and we will continue to grow."
Prior to Friday night, the most the Ospreys had scored against the Hurricanes at 39, which happened last season on Nov. 8, 2013.
Destinee Smith scored a team-best 13 points, while
Paulina Zaveckaite added 10 points and a team-best five rebounds.
UNF shot 37.5 percent (18-for-48) for the game.
Adrienne Motley paced the Hurricanes behind 8-for-10 shooting and 21 points, including 15 points in the second half alone. Laura Quevedo and Jessica Thomas chipped in with 15 and 11 points, respectively. Quevedo and Khaila Prather each grabbed six boards.
Miami was 28-for-65 from the field and shot 43.1 percent. The Hurricanes dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Ospreys 46-26.
UNF stayed close to the Hurricanes through the opening part of the first half as Miami held a five-point 13-8 lead at 11:44. Zaveckaite hit a jumper that brought UNF to within five. However, the Hurricanes ultimately used three consecutive treys to gain a 27-12 lead at 7:49. The Ospreys attempted to fight back and eventually cut the deficit down to 10 points. A jumper from
Brittney Wright made it 33-23 with 3:18 to go in the first half. Miami ended the opening half on a 9-3 run to take a 42-26 lead into halftime.
Miami came out with a 7-2 to start the second half. Motley had all seven of the Hurricanes' points as Miami had a 49-28 lead. The Ospreys responded with an 8-3 run to come to within 16.
Lindsey Levings' trey at 12:53 capped the run as Miami held a 52-36 advantage. However, the Hurricanes began to pull away and Miami took its first of several 26-point leads at 5:10 when a Quevado three-pointer made it 70-44. UNF answered with a three-point play as Florin hit a jumper, drew the foul and made the free throw at 4:43, but that was as close as the Ospreys could get as Miami outscored UNF 11-6 in the final 4:34.
UNF returns to action at Samford on Monday night. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m., from the Pete Hanna Arena.
