Jan. 12, 2011
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
OXFORD, Ohio - Miami came out on fire from behind the three-point line, hitting its first six treys to open up a large lead against Buffalo. The RedHawks remained hot throughout the game, holding off a strong Bulls offensive attack to earn a 94-89 victory Wednesday afternoon at the third annual "Class at the Court" game. Miami improves to 9-7 overall and 1-2 in the Mid-American Conference. Buffalo falls to 8-8 overall and 1-2 in the MAC.
Courtney Osborn led Miami with her second double-double of the season, finishing with 24 points and 10 assists. She was one of three RedHawks who broke the 20-point barrier, as both Maggie Boyer and Kirsten Olowinski finished with 22 points. Olowinski also recorded 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season. The RedHawks shot 47.7 percent for the game (31-for-65), including finishing 13-for-25 (52 percent) from behind the three-point line. That helped them overcome a Buffalo attack that shot 53 percent (35-for-66) for the game, led by Kourtney Brown's 35 points.
Boyer was the story of the early portion of the game, hitting three shots from behind the arc to give Miami a 15-9 lead. The RedHawks increased the lead to 10 at 25-15 when Osborn hit the second of her three-point baskets. Lillian Pitts hit two layups, to go along with another Osborn three-pointer to make it 32-21 with 9:40 remaining. Pitts would go on to finish the game with a career-high 12 points.
Buffalo would answer with a 7-0 run to pull within four with 7:07 remaining in the first half. Another layup from Pitts, would spark a 9-0 Miami response that put the RedHawks in front, 41-28, at the 4:51 mark. Three-pointers from both Osborn and Boyer, along with two jumpers from Olowinski would help Miami increase that advantage to 56-41 going into the halftime break.
The Bulls opened the second half on a 13-5 run that made it 61-54 with 16:20 to go. Hannah Robertson would break up the run with her first three-pointer of the contest. Osborn and Olowinski would each follow with layups as Miami would make it 71-58 at the 13:01 mark.
Miami maintained its advantage thanks to another three-pointer by Osborn, as well as layups from Pitts and Erica Almady. With the RedHawks in front, 80-66, the Bulls made one last run. A 15-5 spurt would pull Buffalo to within six at 87-81 with 3:38 remaining. After an Olowinski layup, a 5-1 run by Buffalo would make it 90-86 with 1:58 to go. The Bulls would have a chance to make it even closer on their next possession, but Osborn would take a huge offensive charge on Brown to force the turnover. Miami would hit its free throws down the stretch to earn the 94-89 victory.
The RedHawks had a season-high 22 assists for the game. They held their own on the boards against the top rebounding team in the MAC, getting outrebounded by the Bulls, 37-35.
Miami returns to action on Saturday when it travels to Akron for a 2 p.m. contest.
