Feb. 4, 2012
Final Stats
YPSILANTI, Mich. - Miami nearly overcame two early half runs, but a 47-27 rebounding disadvantage ultimately did in the Red and White, as they fell, 77-66, to Eastern Michigan Saturday afternoon. Courtney Osborn led the RedHawks with 19 points. Miami falls to 17-6 overall and 7-3 in the Mid-American Conference. The Eagles improve to 16-7 overall and 8-2 in the MAC.
Eastern Michigan used an aggressive press to force some turnovers and held an early rebounding advantage on Miami to take a 17-7 lead at the 13:00 mark. The Red and White settled down as Rachael Hencke scored five consecutive points, while Kirsten Olowinski buried a jumper to pull Miami to within seven at 23-16. Trailing 27-20, back-to-back jumpers from Hannah Robertson and Hencke would make it a three-point game 5:04 before the break.
Erica Almady would score four straight points to counter a Tavelyn James three-pointer to make it 32-29 at the 2:10 mark. A layup by Maggie Boyer and a three-pointer from Osborn would put the RedHawks in front, 34-32. EMU would hit a couple of free throws to send the teams into the break tied at 34.
Eastern Michigan outshot Miami, 51.7 percent to 41.9 percent for the half. The difference came in the RedHawks forcing the Eagles into 13 turnovers. Osborn led a balanced Miami attack with eight points at the break.
Similar to the beginning of the game, a 13-2 run to start the second half by the Eagles put EMU back in control with a 47-36 advantage. Osborn would end the bleeding with a jumper, but Eastern Michigan answered right back with a 6-0 run to take its largest lead at 53-38 with 12:46 to go.
Back-to-back jumpers from Osborn and Hannah Robertson would begin the RedHawk comeback. A layup by Almady and a three-pointer from Haley Robertson would make it an eight-point game at 55-47 with 9:47 to go. Jumpers from Osborn and Lillian Pitts made it 59-53 with 7:34 remaining. That would be as close as Miami could get, as the Eagles were able to break through the RedHawks aggressive attack with some game-sealing layups to take the 77-66 win.
In addition to Osborn's 19 points, Pitts finished with 10, Hannah Robertson with eight and Haley Robertson and Hencke had seven each. The RedHawks shot 42.4 percent (25-for-59) for the game, while EMU shot 49.2 percent (30-for-61). Miami forced a total of 21 Eagle turnovers during the contest.
The RedHawks return to action next Saturday when they host Northern Illinois at 1 p.m. in Millett Hall. That is part of a tripleheader that will see the men's team take on Central Michigan at 3:30 p.m., and the ice hockey team take on Alabama-Huntsville at 7:05 p.m. in Steve Cady Arena.
