Jan. 6, 2010
Final Stats
BUFFALO, N.Y. - A strong defensive effort in the second half, and a career-high 30 points from Courtney Osborn helped Miami open Mid-American Conference play with a 62-55 victory over Buffalo Wednesday night. It was the first 30 point effort by a RedHawk since Jenna Schone scored 30 against Eastern Michigan on March 11, 2009. Miami improves to 3-11 overall and 1-0 in the MAC, while Buffalo falls to 4-10 overall and 0-1 in the MAC.
Two jumpers by Osborn and a three-pointer by Maggie Boyer helped the RedHawks open a 7-2 lead to begin the first half. With the score 9-4 in favor of Miami, the Bulls went on a 9-0 run to open up a 13-9 advantage of their own. Rachael Hencke ended the run with two free throws and an old fashioned three-point play after she was fouled on the next possession.
Abby Dowd hit a couple of three-pointers to give Buffalo its biggest lead of the half at 26-19 with 3:35 remaining. A three-pointer by Osborn followed by jumpers from Hencke and Courtney Reed closed the Bulls advantage to 28-26. Dowd hit another three-pointer at the 1:38 mark to send Buffalo into the break ahead, 31-26.
Osborn led the RedHawks with 14 points at the half. Miami shot 47.6 percent (10-for-21) for the half. Buffalo shot only 40 percent, but was able to get off several more shots (12-for-30).
The Bulls opened up the second half with a layup, but the RedHawks turned on the defensive pressure as they would only allow five more points over the next 11 minutes. During the subsequent 27-5 run by Miami, Osborn hit a couple more three-pointers, while Boyer really began to heat up with two jumpers and a three-pointer of her own. The final jumper by Boyer gave the RedHawks a 53-38 lead with 8:16 remaining.
Miami eventually pushed the advantage to 19 points at 59-40 off another three-pointer by Osborn, as well as an old-fashioned three-point play for the point guard. The RedHawks shot went cold over the last five minutes, as Buffalo was able to finish the game on a 15-3 run, but it was not enough as Miami took a 62-55 win.
Osborn shot 11-for-17 for the game, including 5-for-8 from three point range. She added four assists, four steals and three rebounds. Boyer recorded 12 points, while Erin Wisner recorded 10 rebounds for the third consecutive game. Miami shot a season high 51.1 percent (24-for-47) compared to 31.3 percent (20-for-64) for the Bulls. Buffalo outrebounded the RedHawks for the game, 44-28.
Miami opens the home portion of its MAC schedule when it welcomes Kent State to Millett Hall Saturday at 2 p.m.
