MIAMI, Fla. – Enjulina Gonzalez scored 29 points in Miami's 62-55 win to wrap up the FIU Christmas Classic on Saturday afternoon.
Amber Tretter added 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds to help Miami improve to 7-3 on the season. Bineta Diatta led the Panthers with 13 points, who drop to 4-7.
How it Happened:
- The RedHawks opened play with a 4-0 lead after Maya Chandler knocked down a pull-up jumper and Gonzalez put in a pair of free throws. Cori Lard threw a no-look pass to Núria Jurjo in the right corner for a triple that extended Miami's lead to 7-0 halfway through the first quarter. With the score at 13-7, Tretter put in three and scored a put-back layup the following possession to give the RedHawks their first double-digit lead of the day heading into the second quarter.
- FIU outscored Miami 8-2 in the beginning of the second quarter to come within five at 20-15. Gonzalez responded by sinking back-to-back shots from behind the three-point line to fend off the Panthers at 26-15 with five minutes to play before halftime. A driving layup from Lard that was followed by Gonzalez's third three of the day helped push Miami ahead of FIU 32-23 heading into the intermission.
- Gonzalez stayed in rhythm coming out of the break, as she scored the first nine points for the RedHawks to stay ahead of the Panthers 41-27. Although FIU pulled within five points (44-39) at the 0:58 mark, Ilse de Vries ended the period with a step-through layup to enter the final quarter of play ahead 46-39.
- de Vries found the bottom of the net from downtown for the first time with just 5:36 remaining in the game. Tretter recorded her second three of the day and Gonzalez finished a transition layup following a turnover by the Panthers to stretch the RedHawks' advantage to 59-46. Despite a strong push for FIU, the Red and White managed to close out the game with a 62-55 win.
Game Notes:
- Chandler, Singer and Tretter led the RedHawks with three steals each.
- Gonzalez matched her career high with four threes.
- Miami forced 26 turnovers, the fifth time this season the RedHawks have forced at least 25 turnovers in a game.
Up Next:
Miami will begin conference play by hosting Ball State on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m.