Jan. 10, 2009

Box Score

GALLERY

OXFORD, Ohio - A 10-0 run to open the second half helped lead the Miami RedHawks to an important 71-60 win over Kent State in Mid-American Conference action Saturday afternoon. Miami improves to 10-5 overall and 2-0 in the MAC. The Golden Flashes are 11-3 and 0-2.

Strong shooting from Kent State allowed the Golden Flashes to jump to an 11-3 lead early. A three-pointer from Jenna Schone helped spark a 10-3 run that pulled Miami within one at 14-13 with 12:21 left. A three-point play by Jamilah Hughes put Kent State back up four, but a Maggie Boyer three and another basket by Schone gave the RedHawks their first lead at 18-17.

With the score tied at 20 at the 4:43 mark of the first half, Boyer hit a three-point basket that gave Miami a 23-20 lead. Five straight points for the Golden Flashes gave them the lead back, but another Boyer three-pointer gave the RedHawks the 26-25 advantage. Rachel Bennett answered with her third three-point basket of the half to send Kent State into the locker room with a 28-26 lead.

A layup by Erin Wisner started the 10-0 run that began the second half and put Miami up 38-28. Jaclyn Leininger, Courtney Reed and Boyer each had baskets during that stretch. Kent State was able to pull within five at 38-33, but a 7-0 run finished off by a Boyer three gave the RedHawks a 45-33 advantage with 11:38 remaining.

Kent State was able to pull within eight points on several occasions, but each time Boyer and Reed were able to answer with threes to push the lead back to double digits. With the score 65-54, the Golden Flashes went on a 6-1 run to pull within six at 66-60 at the 1:26 mark, but a Boyer free throw and back-to-back jumpers from Reed and Schone put the game away for Miami.

Boyer led the RedHawks with a career high 19 points. Schone contributed 19, while Reed had 12. Wisner just missed a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds. Miami shot 42 percent for the game (24-for-57) compared to 32 percent for Kent State (18-for-56). The RedHawks outrebounded Kent State 40-35.

Miami will battle for the outright lead in the MAC East Division Wednesday when it travels to Bowling Green. The Falcons are the only other team in the division that is currently 2-0. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and can be heard live on the Miami Sports Network.