Nov. 14, 2009

Final Stats

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - A dominating second half defensive performance helped the Miami women's basketball team overcome early turnovers to defeat Bucknell 75-54 in the opener of the Iona Tip-Off Classic. It was the season debut for both teams. Rachael Hencke and Courtney Osborn led Miami with 16 points each.

Several turnovers by the RedHawks caused Miami to fall behind early in the first half. Hencke kept the team in the game early on with several jumpers and her first career three-point basket. She also forced Bucknell to foul her on the drive and she converted 7-of-8 free throws. Hencke finished the half with 14 points.

With the score 28-17 in favor of the Bison, Miami began its comeback. Osborn started the sequence with two free throws. Michelle Oswalt followed with a three-pointer that cut the deficit to five points. Bucknell scored the next four points to regain a nine point lead, but a 7-0 run capped by a Briana Dunlap three-pointer brought Miami to within two at 32-30. The Bison hit a layup at the buzzer to take a 34-30 lead into halftime.

Baskets by Osborn and Ashleigh Brown quickly tied the score at 34 to begin the second half. After Bucknell hit a three to retake the lead, Osborn and Brown again scored to start a 16-0 run that put the RedHawks up 50-37 and effectively up the game out of reach. Miami kept the Bison from scoring exactly six minutes during the run.

With 10 minutes to go, Bucknell got to within 10 points at 55-45, but two more jumpers from Osborn and two more three-pointers from Dunlap ensured the Bison would get no closer. Two free throws from Courtney Reed closed out the 21-point victory.

In addition to 16 each from Hencke and Osborn, Ashleigh Brown had a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. Kirsten Olowinski had a strong debut with six points and eight rebounds. The RedHawk defense forced Bucknell into 34 turnovers.

Miami will play in the championship game against Arizona of the Iona Tip-Off Classic on Sunday at 1 p.m.