Jan. 9, 2010
Final Stats
Photo Gallery
OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami women's basketball team dropped a defensive struggle to Kent State Saturday, 50-39. The RedHawks fall to 3-12 overall and 1-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes are 9-5 overall and 2-0 in the MAC. Kirsten Olowinski and Ashleigh Brown led Miami with nine points each.
The RedHawks hit some shots early in the first half as Rachael Hencke, Maggie Boyer and Olowinski each scored layups to give Miami a 10-9 lead with 13:50 to go. Both teams played strong defense throughout the period, forcing several turnovers. With the score 11-10 in favor of Kent State, a 7-0 run keyed by a Courtney Osborn three-pointer gave the RedHawks their largest lead of the game at 17-11 with 10:30 remaining. Miami was only able to manage five more points for the remainder of the half however and went into the break leading only 22-21.
Despite the cold streak to end the first half, it was the first time this season that the RedHawks went into the break with the advantage. Miami forced Kent State into 17 first-half turnovers.
A 5-0 run to start the second half off three Courtney Reed free throws and a jumper pushed the lead back to six at 27-21. The defensive pressure from both sides continued as neither team was able to get off many shots. With 7:01 remaining in the game, Miami still was in front 36-34. From there a 10-1 run by the Golden Flashes put them in front 44-37, a lead they would not surrender. Miami shot 33 percent for the game (13-for-39).
In addition to Olowinski and Brown's nine points each, Osborn finished with six, the first time all season she had been held under double figures for a game. The Golden Flashes were led by Taisja Jones with 11 points, and they outrebounded the RedHawks 38-22. Miami forced Kent State into 29 turnovers for the game.
The RedHawks will next be in action on Wednesday when they host Ohio at 7 p.m.
