CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Interstat) — The Miami Hurricanes used a dominant second-quarter surge and a balanced scoring attack to overcome a slow start and defeat the California Golden Bears 69-60 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Watsco Center.

A crowd of 832 watched the Hurricanes (15-12) erase an early deficit by outscoring the Golden Bears (17-12) 21-12 in the pivotal second period, turning a one-point game after the first quarter into a 35-27 halftime lead they would not relinquish. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for Miami in the series and provided a key resume boost late in the season.

California, coming off a road win at Florida State, opened the game with precision. Gisella Maul connected on a 3-pointer just 18 seconds into the contest, part of an early 5-0 run. The Golden Bears led 15-14 after a back-and-forth first quarter, thanks in large part to eight points from Lulu Twidale.

The game’s complexion changed decisively in the second quarter. Miami’s defense tightened, forcing a series of California turnovers and converting them into easy transition opportunities. The Hurricanes opened the period on an 11-2 run, fueled by five quick points from Italian guard Vittoria Blasigh. Her 3-pointer at the 8:32 mark gave Miami a 25-17 advantage, its largest lead to that point.

California struggled to find an offensive rhythm against Miami’s active defense, committing multiple shot-clock and 10-second violations. While the Golden Bears managed to trim the deficit to six points on a Mjracle Sheppard layup with 4:46 left in the half, Miami closed the quarter strong. Ahnay Adams sank a deep 3-pointer in the final minute to send the Hurricanes into the locker room with an eight-point cushion and significant momentum.

The third quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with Miami maintaining its lead between six and ten points. California’ Twidale, who played all 40 minutes, continued to carry the offensive load, but Miami consistently answered. Every time the Golden Bears threatened, the Hurricanes responded, often through the interior presence of 6-foot-6 center Ra Shaya Kyle or the playmaking of Adams and Gal Raviv.

Miami extended its lead to 54-46 by the end of the third quarter, thanks to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Raviv. The Hurricanes then opened the fourth quarter with a 6-2 spurt, pushing their advantage to a game-high 12 points at 60-48 following a Kyle layup with 8:54 remaining.

California made one final push. A 7-0 run, capped by a Twidale 3-pointer assisted by Maul, cut Miami’s lead to 63-58 with 3:49 left, forcing a Hurricanes timeout. Out of the stoppage, however, Miami delivered the decisive blow. On the ensuing possession, Raviv calmly sank another 3-pointer, restoring an eight-point lead and effectively extinguishing the Golden Bears’ comeback hopes. California would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way, as Miami sealed the game at the free-throw line.

Twidale led all scorers with 18 points for California, adding three assists. Sheppard added 10 points, four assists and three steals in 37 minutes, while Maul finished with nine points and five assists. The Golden Bears were hampered by 12 turnovers, which Miami converted into 12 points, and were outscored 38-28 in the paint.

Miami’s victory was a product of shared offensive responsibility. Kyle controlled the interior with 16 points and three assists. Raviv, from Israel, filled the stat sheet with 13 points, four assists and four steals. Blasigh provided a crucial spark off the bench with 12 points in just 16 minutes, and Adams orchestrated the offense with 10 points and a game-high six assists.

The game was part of the ACC’s scheduling alliance. California returns to Pac-12 play to host Clemson on Thursday. Miami continues its ACC schedule by hosting Pittsburgh on Thursday.

The most important part of the game was Miami’s 21-12 second quarter. This period transformed a narrow one-point deficit into a sustainable eight-point halftime lead. During this stretch, Miami’s defense ignited its offense, forcing California into critical turnovers and poor shots, which the Hurricanes converted into a decisive 11-2 run. This quarter established the game’s tempo and provided Miami with a cushion that California spent the entire second half trying, and ultimately failing, to overcome. The run was emblematic of the game’s key statistical advantages for Miami: points off turnovers and points in the paint.