Feb. 22, 2009

Final Stats

KENT, Ohio - The Miami University women's basketball team closed a 17-point deficit to six by halftime, but a barrage of 10 three-point baskets by the Kent State Golden Flashes helped defeat the RedHawks 79-62 on Saturday afternoon. Miami falls to 13-12 overall and 5-7 in Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes are 17-7 and 6-6 in the MAC.

Kent State was hitting its shots early on as the Golden Flashes jumped to a 17-4 lead three minutes into the game. Back-to-back three-pointers from Jenna Schone pulled Miami to within eight at 18-10, but an 11-5 run by Kent State gave the Flashes their largest lead of the half at 29-15 with 11:07 to go.

The RedHawks picked up the defensive intensity for the remainder of the half, holding Kent State to only 11 more points. Rachael Hencke and Jaclyn Leininger combined for 14 points, while Lillian Pitts scored a layup off her own miss to pull Miami to within 40-34 at halftime.

Miami shot 46 percent for the half (13-for-28) and outrebounded Kent State 18-15. Schone and Leininger led the RedHawks with eight points each.

Kent State opened the second half on a 22-10 run that gave it a 62-44 lead with 12 minutes remaining. The RedHawks did not give up as Schone hit another three-point basket and found Hencke for a layup and an old fashioned three-point play that made the deficit nine at 65-56. However, the Golden Flashes found their shooting touch again as Jena Stuzman capped an 11-0 run with another three-point basket and put the game out of reach for Miami.

Leinginer led the RedHawks with 16 points. Schone scored 14 points and also had eight assists. Hencke nearly had a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds. Miami shot 45 percent for the game (23-for-51) and outrebounded Kent State 35-32.

Miami returns to Millett Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 25 for a 7 p.m. game against Akron. That game will be broadcast on ONN.