After a tough stretch that saw four straight losses, the Miami Hurricanes women’s basketball team found their rhythm again on Sunday afternoon, taking down Boston College 82-70 on the road in Chestnut Hill. It wasn’t just a win-it was a much-needed reset for a team trying to regain its footing in ACC play.
The tone was set early by freshman guard Ahnay Adams, who wasted no time getting Miami on the board with the first five points of the game. From there, the opening quarter was a back-and-forth battle, but the Hurricanes edged ahead 8-7 and never looked back, finishing the first frame up 20-14.
A big reason for that early cushion? Natalie Wetzel, who came out firing and dropped eight points in the first 10 minutes.
Miami shot 47.1% from the field in the first quarter and knocked down 37.5% of their looks from deep-an encouraging sign for a team that’s struggled with consistency on offense.
The second quarter is where Miami really started to separate. The ball movement was crisp, the shot selection was smart, and the Hurricanes got scoring contributions from all over the floor.
Ra Shaya Kyle went to work inside, Wetzel stayed aggressive, and both Amarachi Kimpson and Vittoria Blasigh added key buckets. The Canes stretched the lead to 34-17 before Boston College managed to close the gap slightly.
Still, Miami went into the break up 46-29. The shooting dipped a bit to 42.9% in the second quarter, and free throws were an issue-just 2-of-6 from the line-but the energy and execution were there.
The third quarter brought a bit of turbulence. Miami’s offense stalled out of the gate, managing just two points in the first five minutes.
Boston College saw the opening and pounced, trimming the lead to single digits. But just when it looked like the game might slip, Kyle stepped up.
The veteran forward was a force down low, going 3-for-3 in the paint during a critical stretch. Vittoria Blasigh and Danielle Osho added timely scores, helping Miami stabilize and close the quarter with a 62-50 lead.
In the fourth, Miami kept their foot on the gas. The offense clicked again, with the Hurricanes putting up 20 more points while shooting 52% from the field.
They weren’t lights out from beyond the arc (just 28% in the fourth), but they didn’t need to be. They controlled the tempo, protected the lead, and closed out the win with poise.
By the numbers, Miami finished the game shooting 50.7% from the field (34-of-67), 40.7% from three (11-of-27), and just 42.9% from the free throw line (3-of-7). The trio of Kyle, Adams, and Wetzel led the charge.
Kyle was dominant, posting a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double. Adams added 15 points and seven boards of her own, while Wetzel chipped in 14 points and an assist.
This win bumps Miami to 13-12 overall and 5-9 in ACC play. It doesn’t erase the rough patch they’ve just endured, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The offense showed flashes of what it can be when the ball is moving and shots are falling. Still, shooting consistency remains a concern-especially at the free throw line-and that’s something they’ll need to clean up as the season winds down.
Next up, the Hurricanes head back to Coral Gables for a three-game homestand at the Watsco Center. First on the docket: a Thursday night showdown with Stanford.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m., and it’s a big one. If Miami wants to build some late-season momentum, it starts with protecting home court.