UM women no longer perfect after lowest output of season in 75-57 loss to No. 10 Baylor

The 24^th-ranked University of Miami women’s basketball team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday night, 75-57 to No. 10 Baylor, and coach Katie Meier said her takeaway is “we’re still learning, and they’re refined.”

Meier said the Hurricanes would use the Hall of Fame Series game in San Antonio as a measuring stick, a chance to make a to-do list before the ACC season gets going. They head home with their feet firmly planted on the ground and plenty of work to do.

The Canes (8-1) held Baylor to below 80 points for just the second time this season, but it wasn’t enough because Miami’s offense had its lowest output of the season. Its previous low was 61 points in a win over Southern on Nov. 17.

Baylor led for all but a minute and a half. Five Bears scored in double figures, led by Sarah Andrews with 18 points. Jada Walker had 14, Bella Fontleroy 13, Yaya Felder 12, and Dre’Una Edwards 10. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, a 6-1 guard, dominated the boards with 12 rebounds.

“I really enjoyed playing against such a high-quality team like Baylor,” Meier said. “I’m not surprised by how efficient they are offensively. We made some great adjustments at halftime and gave ourselves a chance, but their assist percentage is what makes them so special. They have a ton of talent on the court, and they’re willing to make the extra pass.”

Baylor had 18 assists while Miami had just eight. The Bears made 50 percent of their three-point shots (10-of-20) and Miami shot 19 percent from beyond the arc (3-of-16).

Miami opened the third quarter on an 8-2 run and got within striking distance, but Baylor answered with a 7-0 run to get the game out of reach.

“They didn’t take many bad shots and Miami took quite a few bad shots,” Meier said. “That’s the nature of where both programs are at this point…I’m really impressed by them.”

Baylor managed just 26 second half points, after scoring 25 in the first quarter and 24 in the second, but the Hurricanes’ offense couldn’t get going. Miami missed 16 of its final 16 shots.

Shayeann Day-Wilson led UM with 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Kyla Oldacre and Ally Stedman each added 11. But the Hurricanes shot 34.9 percent from the field.

Meier was pleased to see her team finish with 37 rebounds to Baylor’s 39, and 32 points in the paint to 34 for Baylor, but said the Hurricanes rushed too many shots.

“We haven’t played that kind of pressure before and it makes you put your head down and try to create on your own and too many times that was a bad decision by us,” Meier said.

Baylor remains undefeated at 9-0. Miami dropped to 8-1 heading into Wednesday’s home game against Jackson State.