Miami women’s basketball races past Virginia on Senior Day

By
Luke Sims
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Graduate student forward Destiny Harden brings the ball downcourt during the first quarter of Miami’s game versus the University of Virginia in the Watsco Center on Feb. 26, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

On Senior Day, Destiny Harden had a double-double, her fourth of the season, and led the Miami Hurricanes to a victory over the Virginia Cavaliers, 85-74, at the Watsco Center on Sunday afternoon.

Three of Miami’s seven seniors started Sunday afternoon, including Haley Cavinder, Destiny Harden and Lola Pendande.

Miami went on a 20-7 run to close out the first quarter. Its bench provided a huge boost that included two big three-pointers from senior guard Hanna Cavinder and seven points from Kyla Oldacre.

Freshman forward Kyla Oldacre lays up the ball during the third quarter of Miami’s game versus the University of Virginia in the Watsco Center on Feb. 26, 2023.

Oldacre turned in her best performance of the season. The freshman forward was a force down low for the ‘Canes, as she dropped career-highs in both points and rebounds, with 19 and eight, respectively.

“We’ve seen it, we’ve been cheering for her all year, we’ve been seeing that every single day,” Miami head coach Katie Meier said about Oldacre’s performance. “She just had a really good game, As soon as Kyla started scoring, it was great.”

Senior guard Haley Cavinder shoots and makes a three-pointer during the fourth quarter of Miami’s game versus the University of Virginia in the Watsco Center on Feb. 26, 2023.

Haley Cavinder followed up on her achievement of 2,000 points last game by dropping 11 points. The other Cavinder sister, Hanna, starred on Senior Day, going 5-of-7 from behind the arc and finishing with 15 points for a season high from her.

Karla Erjavec also showed out, setting her season high in assists with seven. She was an integral part of Miami’s 26-team assist performance, which is its highest total since December 2018 against Alabama.

“She’s been playing great lately which is very timely,” Meier said about Erjavec.

Graduate student guard Karla Erjavec drives the ball towards the net during the fourth quarter of Miami’s senior day game against UVA at the Watsco Center on Sunday, Feb. 26.
Graduate student guard Karla Erjavec drives the ball towards the net during the fourth quarter of Miami’s senior day game against UVA at the Watsco Center on Sunday, Feb. 26. Photo credit: Sam Peene

Miami led at halftime, 40-30. UM held Virginia to under 35% shooting and dominated on the boards, 27-17. The Hurricanes never led by less than six from that point on.

Virginia (15-14, 4-14 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)) played hard despite only having six players available. It was able to hang around and keep the pressure on Miami. The Cavaliers were led in scoring by senior forward Camryn Taylor, who finished the game with a game-high 21 points and seven rebounds.

With this victory at home, Miami (18-11, 11-7 ACC) moves to 14-4 at home this season. This game wraps up the regular season for Miami as it moves on to the ACC Tournament, where they will play on March 2 on Thursday at 8 p.m. against the winner of the No. 11 and No. 14 seeds’ game.