Feb. 23, 2008
Box Score
OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University's women's basketball team battled back-and-forth with Bowling Green in Mid-American Conference action Saturday afternoon, but the RedHawks were unable to overcome a late run as the Falcons defeated Miami, 81-66. Miami (17-10; 9-4 MAC) shot just 2-of-15 from behind the arc and Bowling Green (21-6; 10-3 MAC) out-rebounded Miami, 47-29.
Both teams struggled in the opening minutes as Miami hit just 3-of-10 shots and Bowling Green committed six turnovers. Despite the struggles, the score was tied, 7-7, with 15:42 on the clock. Junior center Stephanie Ford put back a Miami miss and the next time down the floor, she buried a mid-range jumper from the baseline, giving Miami a 15-11 lead at the 12-minute mark of the first half. After a Bowling Green bucket, Miami hit three straight free throws before Ford hit back-to-back jumpers, extending Miami's lead to seven points, 22-15, with 7:55 to play in the half. Miami kept the pressure on as junior guard Jenna Schone found senior forward Laura Markwood for an easy deuce before sophomore Ashleigh Brown put in a transition lay-up, giving the RedHawks a 31-22 advantage with 3:28 on the clock. The Falcons went on a 9-4 spurt to close the half, but Miami entered the intermission with a two-point lead, 35-33.
Ford led the RedHawks with 11 points and seven rebounds at halftime, while senior guard Amanda Jackson scored seven points. Jen Uhl scored 11 points off the bench to lead the Falcons.
After three made free throws by Bowling Green to open the second half, Miami went on a 9-2 run to take a 44-39 lead with 15:58 to play in the half. Jackson scored eight consecutive points during the run. Bowling Green battled back to tie the game at 47-47, but junior guard Ashley Hawkins drove baseline and knocked down a pull-up jumper and Schone stole a cross-court pass and went the distance for the easy lay-up to put Miami back ahead, 51-47, with 11:18 to play. Bowling Green battled back again and a jumper by Crystal Murdaugh put the Falcons ahead 56-55 at the under-eight minute media timeout. Miami stayed within one point, 58-59, but an 11-2 Falcon run pushed Bowling Green ahead by a score of 70-60 with 3:21 to play. Down the stretch, the RedHawks were unable to close within nine points as Miami fell to Bowling Green, 66-81
Ford recorded the first double-double of her career with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Jackson and Schone also finished with 15 points for Miami.
Lauren Prochaska led Bowling Green with a game-high 21 points and 15 rebounds.
The RedHawks return to the floor Wednesday, Feb. 27, when Miami hosts Kent State at 7 p.m.
