Miami Hurricanes Triumph in ACC Tournament Opener
In a thrilling matchup during the ACC Tournament opener on Wednesday in Duluth, Georgia, the 12th seed Miami Hurricanes triumphed over 13th-seeded Stanford, securing an 83-76 victory after an intense overtime period.
Standout Performances
Ra Shaya Kyle showcased a standout performance with a double-double, amassing 25 points and 11 rebounds, marking her 20th double-double of the season. Meanwhile, Amarachi Kimpson made crucial contributions, netting 20 points in total, including seven pivotal points during extra time. Gal Raviv also added 20 for the Hurricanes (17-13), who are set to advance to the second round to face the fifth-seeded Notre Dame on Thursday.
Game Highlights
The match was a rollercoaster, especially towards the conclusion of regulation. Stanford, led by Courtney Ogden‘s 22 points, rallied late in the fourth quarter, scoring the last 11 points to knot the game at 70 after Miami had looked to be comfortably leading.
Ogden’s contributions spanned across the match, particularly in the final moments, as she scored 11 points in the fourth quarter alone. Other notable performances for Stanford (19-13) included Hailee Swain with 17 points, Lara Somfai contributing 12, and Nunu Agara scoring 11.
Turning Points
Miami had initially set themselves up for success, dominating the third quarter with a stunning 28-13 score, which placed them ahead at 65-52. However, the Hurricanes faced a scoring drought in the fourth quarter, managing only five points and failing to capitalize on their possession at the end of regulation, which allowed Stanford to steal back momentum.
The first half saw Stanford capitalize on their shooting from outside, hitting 7 of 9 three-point attempts in the second quarter to lead 39-37 at halftime, but they struggled significantly in the third, performing poorly on both defense and offense. Despite their shooting woes, Stanford’s efforts kept them close as they recovered to tie the game.
Looking Ahead
Miami’s ability to control the paint, largely thanks to the significant height advantage of 6-foot-6 Kyle, enabled them to outscore the Cardinal 40-28 in that area. As the teams move forward, Miami’s resilience will be tested against Notre Dame, looking to further their success in the tournament.
