Cam Williams, Haley Cavinder shine on Senior Day, lead UM to 62-60 win over Wake Forest
Finally, after a grueling stretch of five losses in a row against ranked opponents, the University of Miami women’s basketball team had reason to celebrate with a thrilling 62-60 home win on Senior Day against Wake Forest.
All five UM starters were playing their final game at the Watsco Center and sent their fans home in a great mood after Darrione Rogers hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 17 seconds remaining, Ahnay Adams took a charge in the final seconds to keep the ball in Miami’s possession, and Hanna Cavinder made a final free throw.
Forward Cameron Williams, a University of Michigan transfer, saved her best home game in a Hurricanes shirt for last, matching her career-high with 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting. She also had a game-high 11 rebounds.
Haley Cavinder, Hanna’s twin sister, stepped up big, as well, with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. Williams and Cavinder both played for more than 39 minutes.
“Cam was exceptional,” said UM coach Tricia Cullop. “When you’re going up against people inside, it’s a physical game. I was really, really proud of her that she not only sealed well, and it wasn’t easy moves. It wasn’t just a turnaround most of the time. It was an up and under, a dribble spin. She had to create and use either hand. She was phenomenal in finding those opportunities.”
Williams stressed how important the game was to the team and credited Haley Cavinder for being a facilitator and finding her time and again.
Cullop also heaped praise on Rogers, who made the clutch three to give Miami a 61-60 lead. Rogers missed her previous three-point attempt badly, but she made up for it.
“Darrione not only did a really good job defensively in the half court, but her three was monumental for us at a time where we could not find a basket,” Cullop said. “I’m so happy she had the confidence, which she should. She’s one of the best shooters on our team, but to step up and hit that, it took the roof off everything that was holding us down.”
Rogers, a senior transfer from Mississippi State, said the moment Williams got the ball and made eye contact with her, she knew she was going to shoot the three.
“I airballed the one before that one, but my teammates and coaching staff, the trusted in me, all glory goes to God,” Rogers said. “Once Cam found me, I knew I was going to shoot it, it was like, `Oh, yeah, it’s going up, and it went in.”
The win was critical for the Hurricanes (14-13, 4-12 ACC), as they try to secure a spot in the ACC tournament. Wake Forest fell to 9-18 and 2-14 in the ACC. Rylie Theuerkauf led the Demon Deacons with 18 points. Demeara Hinds added 12 points and seven rebounds.
After the game, UM players mingled with their fans for the last time this season. The Cavinder twins took photos with their boyfriends, UM quarterback Carson Beck (Hanna’s boyfriend) and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (Haley’s boyfriend).
UM’s final two games of the regular season are at Stanford Feb. 27 and at Cal March 2. The Canes need to finish strong to qualify for the conference tournament, as only 15 of the 18 teams make the cut. Miami is clinging to 15th place.
“We know what’s at stake,” Rogers said. “We’re trying to make it to the ACC tournament. So now, we have to take every game one at a time. We knew in order to keep looking forward to our goal, we needed to get the win [Sunday]. It’s great that it was Senior Day, but we were really looking at the bigger picture.”
Cullop agreed.
“I told our team [Saturday] this was the biggest game of the season for us because games are easier to pull off at home,” she said. “You’ve got your home crowd. These are the rims you practice on every day, sleeping in your own bed. This was the one we absolutely had to get. And now, we need to steal some.”
The coach added that with seven seniors on the team, the time is now to leave it all on the court: “You’ve got to play every game as if it’s your last because I want them to enjoy every second they’ve got left of their careers and take us as far as they can.”
This story was originally published February 23, 2025 at 3:25 PM.