Nov. 28, 2009
Final Stats
PITTSBURGH - In a game marked by several long scoring runs by both teams, Miami fell 79-76 in overtime to Appalachian State Saturday afternoon. The game was the consolation match of the Pitt Thanksgiving Tournament. The RedHawks fall to 1-4 overall, while the Mountaineers improve to 2-3. Freshman Courtney Osborn led Miami with a career-high 25 points. After the game, she was named to the All-Tournament team.
Miami started off strong as Ashleigh Brown hit a jumper on the game's first play and was immediately followed by Osborn hitting a three-pointer to give the RedHawks a 5-0 lead. After an Appalachian State basket, Lillian Pitts hit a layup, Osborn hit three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt and Rachael Hencke scored a three-point play the old fashioned way to give Miami a 13-2 lead with 14:20 remaining in the first half.
Miami's shooting went cold after a Mountaineer timeout, as Appalachian State slowly got back into it. Trailing 22-19, the Mountaineers hit three consecutive three-point baskets to take a six-point lead at 28-22. The teams traded baskets until Ashlen Dewart hit a three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining to send Appalachian State into the halftime break with a 39-28 advantage.
The lead stayed around nine points until the 13:32 mark of the second half, when the RedHawks began making another run. It started with a jumper by Osborn off a Briana Dunlap assist. Osborn and Courtney Reed each hit three-pointers to pull Miami within four at 47-43 with 12:05 remaining. A three-pointer by Maggie Boyer made the score 51-50, and after a layup by the Mountaineers , Osborn hit two more free throws to pull within one at 53-52 with nine minutes remaining.
Two free throws by Boyer and a jumper by Hencke gave the RedHawks the lead for the first time in the second half at 58-55 with 6:21 to go. The teams traded the lead seven times until it was tied at 66 with 1:13 remaining. In the final minute, Brown tipped in a rebound of a Hencke miss to take a 68-66 advantage. Appalachian State split two free throws to pull within one, and on its ensuing possession Reed stole the ball and was fouled with 23 seconds to go. Reed hit both free throws to give Miami a 70-67 lead, but Dewart once again hit a three-pointer with five seconds remaining to tie the score at 70. Osborn had a good look at the basket at the buzzer, but the shot rimmed out and the game went into overtime.
Miami's shot went cold during overtime. Erin Wisner started the scoring for the RedHawks with two free throws, but the Mountaineers went on a 6-0 run to take a 76-72 lead with 2:20 to go. Free throws by Miami pulled it to within two at 78-76 with 1:10 remaining, but they were unable to score again and Appalachian State came away with the 79-76 win.
In addition to Osborn's 25 points, Hencke had 15 points, while Brown and Pitts each contributed eight. Brown nearly made it a double-double with nine rebounds. The Mountaineers outrebounded the RedHawks 60-39 in the game and recorded 26 offensive rebounds. Miami shot 30.6 percent (22-for-72) for the game. Anna Freeman led Appalachian State with 18 points and 19 rebounds.
The RedHawks return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Lexington, Ky. for a 7 p.m. game at Kentucky.
