Natalija Marshall 3-Point Score Lifts Hurricanes Over Virginia 77-74

Coral Gables, FL – The game started slipping away for the Miami Hurricanes early on. The Virginia Cavaliers were up by as many as 15 points in the 2nd quarter. Going into halftime though, UM went on a solid 12-2 run and cut the lead to just 35-30. It wasn’t until the final quarter that they brought the Watsco Center back to life. Both offenses came to a clash scoring back-and-forth, until a Natalija Marshall 3-point score lifted the Hurricanes to a 77-74 victory.

Marshall scores clutch 3-pointers at the right moments

Even though she only scored 10 points, the biggest shots of the game came off of Natalija Marshall. She gave UM their first lead of the game since the 1st quarter with a 3-pointer at the 7:46 mark to give them the 58-57 lead. The game-winning shot belonged to her as well. With 9 seconds left, she made the most important shot of the game, making it a 76-74 game.

Natalija Marshall with another clutch 3!!

76-74 Lady Canes with 9.8 seconds left pic.twitter.com/w8nnyc0pVJ

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) January 31, 2025

Reflecting on her big 3-point shots, Marshall said

“I was just happy they fell. I was 0-for-2 before that, and my teammates and coaches just kept saying… keeping shooting it, it’ll fall. I’m just happy we got the win tonight.”

Natalija Marshall scored two big 3-pointers during the 4th quarter and I got to ask what her emotions were like during those moments@LemonCityLive pic.twitter.com/QE5WMbNBzs

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) January 31, 2025

The tale of two halves

The Canes shot for just 31.3% from the field and 16.7% from behind the 3-point line in the first half. Meanwhile, Virginia shot for 42.9% from the field and 31.3% from behind the 3-point line.

8-0 run for the Canes and UVA takes a TO!

📺 | https://t.co/hGpIeRQXcC
📊 | https://t.co/eFG2WKyw86 pic.twitter.com/5vJDTMqgUc

— Hurricanes Women’s Basketball (@CanesWBB) January 31, 2025

In the second half, UM shot 54.5% from the floor and 42.9% from behind the arc. Virginia was limited to 40.7% shooting from the floor and 20% shooting from behind the arc.

4th quarter heroics by Cardiac Canes

Anyone at the arena could feel this game going in the Canes favor as the minutes would go by in the 4th quarter. They shot for 64.7% from the floor and 50% from downtown.

Cameron Williams had her fourth double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Eight of those points came in the 4th quarter, including this hook shot jumper.

Cameron Williams scores in the paint

72-71 Virginia pic.twitter.com/QHLr8G1FWv

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) January 31, 2025

Haley Cavinder had her seventh double-double of the season. She led the Hurricanes with 22 points and 10 assists.

Jasmyne Roberts played at her best during the period with nine points. Roberts displayed her resiliency in the paint. The Hurricanes retook the lead 73-72 with 1:21 thanks to a step-back jumper. She finished the night with 12 points and made 50% of her 3-pointers.

Coach Cullop proud of her players all around

Coach Tricia Cullop reflected on what she told her players during the game, saying

“Before the half, I just talked to them about the fact that we were getting open looks, and we needed to continue to set good screens…I thought that the pick and roll was working for us. We were sending two to the ball for a long time and we were able to hit our post players role into the rim for some pretty good shots…They stopped doing that as much late in the game. Just really, really proud of our unselfishness.”

Coach Cullop reflecting on what she had told her players in the locker room at the half to spark some new energy into the game@LemonCityLive pic.twitter.com/QrYdCZf8vq

— Ricardo Urrusuno (@RickScores) January 31, 2025

Hurricanes Win Streak Hopes

Miami seeks to win their third consecutive game in ACC play against #20 Georgia Tech this Sunday at 2 pm at the Watsco Center.