Jan. 9, 2008
Final Stats
OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University's women's basketball team held a two-point lead with 2:10 remaining, but the RedHawks were unable to register a win as Buffalo defeated Miami, 62-57, in its Mid-American Conference opener Wednesday night. Miami (8-7; 0-1 MAC) shot just 32.3 percent from the field for the game, while Buffalo (8-6; 1-0 MAC) shot 43.1 percent from the field.
Miami executed its offense and got open shots but the RedHawks were unable to convert over the first 12 minutes of the game. Through the opening 12 minutes, the RedHawks went 3-of-21 from the field and all three field goals came from junior guard Jenna Schone. Despite the RedHawks cold shooting, Miami trailed by only five points, 7-12, with 7:53 remaining in the first half. Trailing by seven points, 12-19, with 3:03 remaining in the half, sophomore guard Courtney Reed led a 10-2 run over the final three minutes of the half that gave the RedHawks a 22-21 lead entering halftime. During the run, Reed scored eight of Miami's 10 points.
Miami went 9-of-34 (26.5 percent) from the field, while senior forward Laura Markwood grabbed 11 rebounds in the first half.
Senior guard Amanda Jackson hit her first two shots of the second half and Schone converted on a fast-break lay-up to lead Miami on a 7-0 run to start the second half, which gave Miami a 29-21 lead with 18:34 to play in the second half. Buffalo remained close as a bucket by Tieara Jones and a three-pointer by Stephanie Bennett brought the Bulls within three points, 35-32, at the under 12-minute media timeout. After a Jackson lay-up re-established a four-point lead, 39-35, Reed scored the next five points for Miami that gave the RedHawks their biggest lead of the game, 44-35, with 9:57 to play. Over the next 3:56, the Bulls used a 14-2 spurt to take their first lead of the half, 49-46. From the 6:01 mark to the 3:21 mark, Miami scored all of its points from the free throw line and a pair of free throws by Jackson catapulted Miami on top, 54-53. A three-point-play by Jackson kept Miami ahead by two points, 57-55, but a three-point prayer by Jamie Schiebner as the shot clock was running down banked in to put Buffalo ahead 58-57. On the next possession, Heather Turner hit a lay-up with 18 seconds remaining to give the Bulls a 60-57 lead. The RedHawks had an opportunity to tie the game, but a three-pointer by Schone rattled in and out and the Bulls pulled out a 62-57 win in Millett Hall.
Jackson led the RedHawks with 19 points, while Reed added 13 points and Schone put in 13 points and dished out six assists. Markwood corralled a game-high 15 rebounds.
Jessica Fortman and Heather Turner both turned in double-doubled for Buffalo as Fortman had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Turner posted 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The RedHawks continue MAC play as Miami heads to Kent, Ohio for its first Mid-American Conference road game against the Golden Flashes at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 12. The game can be heard on MSNi and pre-game begins at 1:35 p.m.
