Miami’s Lady Canes were bounced out of the NCAA Tourney by Oklahoma. UM was the three-seed and OU was the six, which had many talking ‘snub’ last week when president Barack Obama sent the Sooners, not the Canes, to the Sweet Sixteen.
Of course it’s only a ‘snub’ had Miami won. With the loss, instead it’s a solid bracket pick for the Commander In Chief.
The Lady Canes end the season 28-5, having done 12-2 in the ACC and undefeated at The BUC this season. Katie Meier and her squad gave it at tremendous run, but when a big game and season-defining stand were needed against the Sooners, the Canes clammed up.
Down 44-35 at the half, Miami pulled ahead 57-55 with 13:23 remaining, but went cold over the next few minutes. Turnovers and missed shots quickly put the Canes down six.
UM again scrapped back to a 79-79 tie, took an 81-79 lead but saw Oklahoma’s Danielle Robinson score six straight – 4-of-4 on free throws in under three minutes, while the Canes only scored two points over the same span.
Shenise Johnson led Miami with 25 points, while Morgan Stroman followed with 18 of her own. Unfortunately the Canes’ bench only provided four points. In the waning minutes, Miami missed six of its seven final shots.
Congrats to the Lady Canes for a tremendous season – one that was a late-three pointer from seeing overtime and possibly another post-season day.
Valiant effort by the Lady Canes in the waning minutes of the game. Would've been a hell of a comeback if they finished it, but it wasn't to be. Unfortunately every time I looked, it seemed as though #10 for OU was burying a 3 or some Sooner was grabbing an Offensive Board. I think that's what ultimately did The U in.
Still, hell of a season. I expect this team to make a serious run next season with all the starters returning and new additions contributing.
Sad thing is that one of these big state universities is going to nab Meier after next season (if not sooner). She's an up and coming coach, and we never seem to be able to keep serious coaching talent very long.