Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University
Marshall
RedHawks Comeback Thwarted in Loss to Marshall
11/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2009
PITTSBURGH - After falling behind by 24 points in the second half, Miami pulled to within four late against Marshall Friday afternoon before falling, 83-76. The game was the opening round match in the Pitt Thanksgiving Tournament. The RedHawks drop to 1-3 on the year, while the Thundering Herd improve to 2-3.
Marshall struck quickly with an 11-2 run to open the game. A three-pointer by Courtney Osborn along with a basket by Maggie Boyer, pulled the RedHawks within four at 11-7. The quick pace continued early as Osborn hit another three, while Lillian Pitts and Courtney Reed each hit shots to make the score 17-14 in favor of the Thunder Herd only seven minutes into the game.
A 17-6 run by Marshall gave it a 34-20 advantage with 5:27 remaining in the half. The teams traded free throws for the rest of the period, until Ashleigh Brown and Osborn each hit layups to cut the Miami deficit to 43-31 going into the break.
Miami struggled with its shooting to begin the second half, as the Thundering Herd began the period on a 14-2 run to obtain their biggest lead at 24 points at 57-33 with 15:36 to go. The RedHawks began to chip into the lead by forcing the ball inside and getting to the free throw line. A 9-0 run by Miami keyed by seven free throws cut the deficit to 15. Another three-pointer by Osborn got the RedHawks to within 11 at 60-49 with 11:02 remaining.
With the score 62-49, layup by Brown and a three-pointer by Boyer helped sparked another run that cut the lead to six at 66-60. Marshall pushed the advantage back to 10 at 72-62, but a three-point play by Brown and a three-pointer by Reed pulled Miami to within four at 72-68 with 2:23 to go. The RedHawks went cold from there and the Thundering Herd hit their free throws down the stretch to pull away for an 83-76 win.
Osborn led Miami with 20 points and seven assists. It is the second time in her first four career games that she has crossed the 20-point mark. Brown scored 17 for the RedHawks, while Boyer chipped in 14. Chantelle Handy led Marshall with 22 points. The Thundering Herd shot 54.5 percent (30-for-55) for the game.
Miami will play in the consolation game of the Pitt Thanksgiving Tournament against Appalachian State Saturday at 4 p.m. The Mountaineers fell in their opening game to 20th-ranked Pittsburgh, 63-56. The game can be heard on MSNi at www.Miamisportsnetwork.com. Tim Bray has the call beginning at 3:40 p.m.
