Miami battles in tough road loss against No. 9 Duke

Sophomore guard Jasmyne Roberts dribbles the ball up the court against Duke on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Cameron Indoor Stadium. Photo credit: Miami Athletics

After a thrilling win on Thursday against Florida State, Miami women’s basketball could not outlast No. 9 Duke in a hard-fought game in Durham, North Carolina, 50-40.

“Credit to Duke, it was very hard to do our ‘how-to-beats’ the way Duke defends and there was a lot if immaturity and rushed shots,” UM head coach Katie Meier said. “I think the fact that we can gather ourselves and come out of halftime really changed, really a different team, is a positive.”

Sophomore guard Jasymne Roberts and freshman forward Lazaria Spearman led the Hurricanes. Roberts scored 12 points, and Spearman made an impact on the glass by leading the team with 10 rebounds.”

“I’m really proud of Jas Roberts and Lazaria Spearman. Those are two young kids for us who really battled and stayed faithful,” Meier said. “Of course, Haley is always going to give it her best shot.”

Miami (16-9, 9-5 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)) struggled offensively to start and shot 5-of-21 from the field for 13 points in the first half. Duke’s offense kept pace and went into the locker room up 19 by halftime.

UM shot better in the third as it rallied to shoot 50% from the field in the quarter, led by Haley Cavinder who totaled eight points on 3-of-3 shooting. The Hurricanes outscored the Blue Devils, 16-12, and went into the fourth quarter down 44-29.

Miami’s defense held Duke (22-3, 12-2 ACC) to only six points in the fourth quarter, and the Blue Devils were held scoreless over the last 7:27 of the game. UM was unable to score enough to mount a comeback, as its offense made only one of its last eight field goal attempts.

The Hurricanes return to the Watsco Center on Thursday to take on the Clemson Tigers. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. and the game will air on ACC Network Extra.