Feb. 4, 2009
Final Stats
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - A strong defensive effort and a 22-point effort from senior point guard Jenna Schone led Miami to a 69-63 win over Western Michigan Wednesday night. It was Schone's third consecutive 20-point game. Miami improves to 12-9 overall and 4-4 in the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos are 5-16 and 1-7.
The RedHawks went inside early to Jaclyn Leininger for a couple of layups to build an 11-8 lead. Miami had difficulties hitting shots during the middle 10 minutes of the first half, as Western Michigan built a 27-18 lead. Schone took over, scoring nine straight points to pull the RedHawks to within three at 30-27. Briana Dunlap then hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 30 with 3:56 remaining.
After the final media timeout, Ashley Hawkins gave Miami the lead with a layup, and Maggie Boyer hit a three-pointer from the right corner to complete the scoring for the RedHawks and send them into the locker room with a 35-30 lead. Miami closed the half on a 17-3 run.
Schone opened up the second half with another three-pointer that sparked a 14-6 run that pushed the Miami advantage to 49-38. After six straight points for the Broncos pulled them to within six, the RedHawks began going inside again to Leininger and Ford to go on another scoring run. That was capped with yet another Schone three-pointer to give Miami its largest lead at 61-47 with 8:56 remaining.
With the score 63-55 Rachel Hencke turned up the defensive pressure with a block and rebound. On the next defensive possession, Schone took a charge on the Broncos' star point guard Tiera Delahoussaye which gave her fifth foul and disqualified her from the game.
Western Michigan hung in without their point guard, pulling to within four at 65-61 with 1:17 remaining. Schone then followed with a free throw, followed by a steal and layup to bring the lead back to seven and close out the 69-63 win.
In addition to Schone's 22, Ford scored 11 and had nine rebounds. Ashleigh Brown had five steals in 21 minutes of action. The RedHawks shot 36 percent for the game, compared to the Broncos 38.5 percent. Western Michigan outrebounded Miami 45-41.
Miami returns to Millett Hall on Saturday when it hosts Central Michigan at 2 p.m.
