ANCHORAGE (Nov. 23) – Shenise Johnson scored 18 points and
Miami's pressure defense proved the difference as the Hurricanes pulled away
late for a 72-55 victory over host Alaska Anchorage in the first round of the
women's Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout at Sullivan Arena on Wednesday.
Miami (3-1), ranked No. 7 in the NCAA Div. I Associated Press poll, also got 14
points apiece from Morgan Stroman and Riquna Williams to advance to Thursday's
4 p.m. championship game against in-state rival South Florida.
UAA (4-1), ranked No. 7 in the NCAA Div. II top-25 poll, got 10 points apiece
from Hanna Johansson, Kaylie Robison, Haley Holmstead and Tijera Mathews, but
the Seawolves could not keep pace after a strong first half.
The Seawolves took a 26-23 lead on a Holmstead three-pointer late in the
opening period before the Hurricanes answered with the final five points, including
a trey by Johnson just before the buzzer. UAA, which had won its five previous
Shootout openers, stayed within 45-40 on Alysa Horn's layup at the 10:52 mark,
however the visitors turned up their full-court press at that point, answering
with a 12-1 run.
Led by six steals from Johnson and five from Williams, the defending Atlantic
Coast Conference regular-season champions forced 18 of UAA's 28 turnovers in
the second half. The defense helped Miami overcome a cold-shooting night as the
Seawolves outshot them 40 percent (20 of 50) to 34.4 percent (22 of 64). The
Seawolves also outrebounded their taller foes, 39-33, led by a career-high 13
boards from Robison. Johansson finished with nine caroms and a pair of blocks.
Up next for the Seawolves is Thursday's 2 p.m. third-place game against Central
Michigan, an 86-80, overtime loser to South Florida in the first matchup.
