The Miami Hurricanes (4-0) and Colgate Raiders (3-1) squared off in the opening game of the Miami Thanksgiving Tournament, which is being held at the Watsco Centre. Although the Canes were heavy favourites to win, the game started out rough because the Raiders had one of their best shooting performances of the early season. Nevertheless, Miami would go on to extend their undefeated record with a 67-49 victory over Colgate.
With 10 turnovers to start the game out of rhythm, the Hurricanes allowed the Raiders to take advantage and score 15 of their 18 points in the first quarter. With four early steals, junior guard Lashae Dwyer was able to reduce the Colgate run. The Hurricanes still had trouble scoring offensively, though. The Raiders led 12–18 at the close of the first quarter.
Miami rallied in the second half of the game. Kyla Oldacre, a sophomore forward, stole the ball at half court and drove it all the way to the basket to give the ‘Canes a 7-0 lead that they would later extend to 19-18. Colgate junior guard Taylor Golembiewski, who scored five of the team’s seven second-quarter points, kept the Raiders in the game for the remainder of the quarter. After slowing down Colgate’s offensive, Miami appeared to be headed in the right direction as the half came to a tie at twenty-five.
Senior guard Jaida Patrick led the Hurricanes’ defence after the half. Patrick’s steal to start the half gave the Raiders a 10-second violation. After Patrick took the lead on defence, sophomore forward Lazaria Spearman spearheaded the Canes’ offensive comeback, scoring off a Patrick assist to put the team ahead 27–25.
Spearman carried on spearheading Miami’s offensive surge, scoring eight points during the quarter and dishing out a vital assist to junior guard Ja’Leah Williams. Williams forced another 10-second violation against the Raiders as Miami finished the quarter leading 43-32 into the fourth quarter.
Miami maintained its lead over Colgate heading into the fourth quarter. Junior guard Jasmyne Roberts, who finished the game as the Hurricanes’ top scorer with 13 points, was assisted by Patrick, who continued her defensive dominance at the head of Miami’s full-court press.
With a solid defensive presence, the Hurricanes maintained their momentum and forced the Raiders into two more 10-second violations. As the game neared its conclusion, Roberts converted a four-point play to give UM a 20-point lead, sparking a 13-2 run by Miami.
Miami managed to win despite committing 19 turnovers because junior guard Ally Steadman made the game’s last three three-pointers, which gave junior guard Shayeann Day-Wilson her fifth assist.
When the Hurricanes play East Tennessee State University (4-1) at the Watsco Centre on Sunday, Nov. 26, in the Miami Thanksgiving Tournament, they will be hoping to carry over this momentum.
