Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
’Canes handed first ACC loss
CORAL GABLES — The Miami Hurricanes came into their Thursday morning matchup against Clemson knowing the Tigers would challenge them physically and that they’d face a tough task in remaining unbeaten in ACC play.
That task was made even tougher when the Miami women’s basketball team learned it would be without leading scorer and rebounder Beatrice Mompremier, who missed the game while dealing with a family matter.
Clemson took advantage of Mompremier’s absence, scoring 36 points inside the paint and forcing 24 Miami turnovers en route to a 76-64 win over the Hurricanes in front of more than 2,000 young fans who attended UM’s typically-festive Elementary School Day at the Watsco Center.
The loss was the first for Miami in ACC play and will likely make the Hurricanes’ climb back into the AP Top 25 that much more difficult, especially since Miami (14-4, 2-1) won’t play again until it travels to Duke on Jan. 17.
That break, Hurricanes coach Katie Meier said, will do her team some good and give Miami time for some much-needed introspection and practice.
The Hurricanes, who had won eight of their last nine entering Thursday’s game, opened the third quarter on an 11-2 run that helped them erase a 34-28 halftime deficit.
But Clemson turned up the pressure in the fourth quarter, shooting 10-of-15 from the field and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line to distance itself from the Hurricanes.
And while Miami’s Mykea Gray finished with a game-high 24 points to lead a trio of Hurricanes in double figures, it wasn’t enough.
Overall, the Hurricanes were just 20-of-55 from the field with Laura Cornelius notching 15 points. Emese Hof had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the 13th double-double of her career. She also had a gamehigh five blocks, which tied her career high.
None of that mattered to the Hurricanes, who said they would learn from the loss and move forward, especially with key conference games against the likes of Syracuse, Florida State, Louisville and topranked Notre Dame still on the schedule.
Added Cornelius, “It’s time to bounce back. We’re a great program. We don’t lose twice in a row. We just have to get together, get on the same page and compete in practice.”