When Haley Cavinder stepped to the foul line Monday night, twin sister Hanna looked on from Miami’s bench, completely confident in what would happen next.
Miami led No. 1 seed Indiana 66-65 in the second round of a 2023 women’s NCAA tournament game at raucous Assembly Hall. After Indiana missed a runner, the Hoosiers fouled Haley Cavinder with 12.7 seconds left. She had set an NCAA single-season record for free throw percentage last season at Fresno State (97.3%) and entered Monday’s game leading Miami in free throw percentage (88.6%).
Still, Haley had never taken foul shots under more pressure. Miami was trying to reach the Sweet 16 for just the second time in team history and the first since 1992.
“When Haley went to the line, I was like, ‘It’s a sealed deal,'” Hanna told ESPN on Wednesday night. “Haley’s made for that.”
Haley calmly sank the free throws. Then, she did something her twin didn’t expect. Indiana’s student section had been chanting, “TikTok,” a nod to the Cavinders’ massive TikTok following, and Haley brought her fingers to her lips. Shhhh.
“She’s not the one to shush a crowd,” Hanna said. “I was like, ‘OK, you tell ’em. Let ’em know.’ I was proud of her and proud of our team.”
Miami went on to win 70-68 after Destiny Harden‘s game-winning…
, the Hurricanes face Villanova in their first Sweet 16 in 31 years.){kind=link}