Duke Spoils Katie Meier Tribute Night With Win Over Miami
The University of Miami women’s basketball team suffered a 74-58 defeat against the Duke Blue Devils at the Watsco Center, casting a shadow over a significant celebration of program history. The evening was dedicated to honoring former head coach Katie Meier, whose 19-year tenure established her as the all-time winningest coach in Hurricanes women’s basketball history.
Before the tip-off, the atmosphere was celebratory as the university raised a banner to the rafters commemorating Meier’s legacy. Meier, who stepped down following the 2023-2024 season, is credited with transforming the program into a consistent Atlantic Coast Conference contender and leading the team to a historic Elite Eight appearance in 2023.
However, the current squad was unable to channel the pre-game festivities into a victory. While the tribute highlighted the program’s past successes, the 16-point loss to Duke underscored the difficulties the current roster faces in conference play. Duke dominated the contest, utilizing a stifling defense that the Hurricanes struggled to penetrate. Critics pointed to Miami’s offensive stagnation and inability to match Duke’s scoring pace as key factors in the defeat. The loss highlights the ongoing challenge for the program to maintain the high standards of competitiveness established during the Meier era while navigating a tough ACC schedule.
