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The Miami’s women’s basketball team finished 2017-18 in a similar fashion to their male counterparts: a 21-11 record, a quarterfinal appearance in the ACC tournament, and a first-round exit from the NCAA tournament. They entered the 2018-19 season in a different place, however, as the Lady Canes were ranked 24th in the nation and picked to finish top-5 in the ACC. Much of the optimism was due to the inclusion of Baylor-transfer Beatrice Mompremier into the lineup, who is now eligible after sitting out last season.
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Mompremier has delivered so far, leading Miami in points per game (15.3) and rebounds per game (11.6), which helped propel the Canes to a 4-0 start, including a early season statement over #19 Marquette. As a result, the Miami women have climbed to #21 in the polls, where they have remained through this week.
Last Thursday, Miami traveled up to West Lafayette, IN to participate in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge against Purdue. Miami has been vulnerable on the road so far this season, and Thursday was no different, as the Canes fell to the Boilermakers 63-74. Despite a huge game from senior center Emese Hof, who tallied 25 points and 15 rebounds, Miami could not overcome Purdue’s 12 of 18 shooting performance from behind the arc.
After their second defeat of the season, the Lady Canes returned home to the Watsco Center to host Colorado on Sunday afternoon. Similar to the Canes football team, the Miami women debuted an Adidas/Parley collaboration on the court:
“Don’t they look amazing?” -@laaau96 on the @adidasHoops @parleyxxx uniforms pic.twitter.com/zOsNDmHco6
— Canes Women's BBall (@CanesWBB) December 2, 2018
Miami rebounded in their new threads to knock off the previously undefeated Buffaloes 73-58 behind junior guard Laura Cornelius’ career-high 26 points. Cornelius hit 4 3-pointers, and Mompremier chipped in with 15 points and 7 rebounds to gain another quality victory for the Lady Canes.
Miami returns to the Watsco Center on December 9th as the University of New Orleans travels across the gulf for some preseason action.