Dec. 10, 2011
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
OXFORD, Ohio - Overcoming a tough shooting day, the Miami University women's basketball team came back from a 14-point second half deficit to defeat Eastern Kentucky, 60-55, Saturday afternoon at Millett Hall. Maggie Boyer led four RedHawks in double-figures with 16 points. Miami improves to 5-3 overall, while the Colonels drop to 4-6.
It was a good start for the Red and White, as a jumper by Lillian Pitts and a three-pointer from Boyer quickly gave Miami a 5-2 lead. The shots did not fall throughout the first half, as EKU would go on an 11-2 run to take a 13-7 lead at the 15:30 mark. Back-to-back jumpers by Boyer and Courtney Osborn would cut it to four at 15-11, but an extended scoring drought eventually allowed the Colonels to push the advantage to 11 at 29-18 with 6:09 to go. From there, the RedHawks were able to hit only four free throws as Eastern Kentucky took a 34-22 advantage into the break.
Miami shot only 28.6 percent (8-for-26) for the first half, including a 1-for-11 (9.1 percent) performance from behind the arc. Boyer was a bright spot for the 'Hawks during the period, scoring 13 points.
EKU scored the first bucket of the second half to create its largest lead at 14 points. With the score 38-24 with 18:09 to go, the RedHawks would clamp down on defense to help begin the comeback. Miami would go on a 12-0 run over the next five minutes to cut the deficit to two at 38-36. During the run, Kirsten Olowinski had a couple of layups, while Hannah Robertson hit two jumpers. The Colonels would answer with the next four points to push the advantage back to six at 42-36 with 12:39 left in the contest.
A jumper by Courtney Larson would spark the RedHawks' next run, and was followed by a layup from Olowinski and a three-pointer from Boyer to give Miami its first lead since early in the first half at 43-42. With the score 48-46 in favor the RedHawks with 6:40 to go, both teams would go cold as neither team scored for the next four minutes. A jumper by Carla Booth tied the game at 48 at the 2:46 mark, but Osborn answered with a layup to make it 50-48 with 2:11 to go. Robertson would steal the ball on EKU's next possession and find Olowinski for the layup to give the Red and White a four-point lead. From there, Osborn would hit seven free throws down the stretch to secure the 60-55 win for Miami.
The key to the RedHawks victory Saturday was holding the Colonels to 22.6 percent (7-for-31) shooting during the second half. EKU finished at 30.5 percent (18-for-59) for the game.
In addition to Boyer's 16 points, Osborn finished with 14, while Robertson had 11. Olowinski had her third straight double-double, recording 12 points and 12 rebounds. She also had five assists and three blocks. Miami outrebounded the Colonels, 49-41, for the game.
The RedHawks continue their homestand Tuesday when they host Wright State at 7 p.m.
