KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a decisive second-quarter surge, the Miami Hurricanes women’s basketball team remained undefeated, overcoming a slow start to defeat the Davidson Wildcats 66-58 on Thursday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The contest pitted Davidson’s early offensive efficiency against Miami’s sustained defensive pressure and superior shot-making, ultimately allowing the Hurricanes to improve to 4-0 on the young season. Davidson, which led by as many as nine points in the opening quarter, saw its record evened at 3-2.

Davidson established control from the opening tip, executing its offense with precision in the first quarter. The Wildcats jumped out to a 17-10 lead, capitalizing on early Miami turnovers and establishing a presence in the paint. Edina Strausz of Budapest, Hungary, was active early, securing an offensive rebound and converting a tip-in layup to help build the early advantage. The Wildcats’ defense also frustrated Miami’s primary scorers, forcing several turnovers from center Ra Shaya Kyle.

The complexion of the game changed entirely in the second period. Miami, trailing 31-17 after a Katie Donovan layup for Davidson just over a minute into the quarter, unleashed a 22-4 run over the next eight minutes to seize control. The Hurricanes’ offense, which had sputtered in the first, found its rhythm largely through the dynamic play of guard Gal Raviv. The native of Netanya, Israel, repeatedly broke down the Wildcats’ defense, scoring on a series of driving layups and pull-up jumpers. She also connected with Kyle on several occasions, as the 6-foot-6 post player from Marion, Indiana, began to dominate inside.

Davidson’s offense, so fluid in the first quarter, went cold against an intensified Miami defense. The Wildcats struggled to find clean looks and were plagued by missed free throws, a recurring issue throughout the game. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, Miami had turned a 14-point deficit into a 32-31 lead, outscoring Davidson 22-14 in the quarter.

The second half settled into a back-and-forth affair, but Davidson could never fully reclaim the momentum. Every time the Wildcats threatened to narrow the gap, Miami had an answer, often from Raviv or Kyle. Davidson’s Charlise Dunn, a 6-foot-2 forward from Victoria Point, Australia, worked to keep her team in the game, scoring several key baskets in the third quarter to keep the deficit manageable.

In the fourth quarter, Miami methodically extended its lead. A critical three-pointer from Vittoria Blasigh of Udine, Italy, with just under seven minutes to play gave the Hurricanes a nine-point cushion. Davidson made one final push, cutting the lead to 62-58 after a layup from Ines Garcia Monje of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, with just over a minute remaining. But on the ensuing possession, Miami’s Natalie Wetzel scored a crucial layup off an assist from Ahnay Adams to push the lead back to six and effectively seal the victory.

The statistical story of the game was told in shooting percentages and efficiency. Miami shot 51.9 percent from the floor, converting 27 of its 52 field goal attempts. Davidson, by contrast, managed to make only 23 of 59 shots, a 39 percent clip. The Wildcats’ offensive struggles were compounded at the free-throw line, where they shot a dismal 8-for-17. Miami also held a significant advantage in offensive efficiency, scoring 103.7 points per 100 possessions compared to Davidson’s 87.8.

Raviv led all scorers with 22 points, adding three assists in 35 minutes of action. Kyle was a force in the paint, finishing with 17 points and two blocks. For Davidson, Dunn led the way with 14 points, while Garcia Monje contributed 10 points and a team-high three steals.

The Hurricanes continue their season on Saturday with a high-profile neutral-site game against Iowa, also in Kissimmee. Davidson will look to rebound quickly, facing Baylor at the same venue on Saturday.