Miami University
Cincinnati Christian
Miami Opens Season with 75-53 Win over CCU
11/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, Ohio—Leading from start to finish, Miami University’s women’s basketball team opened its season with a decisive 75-53 win over Cincinnati Christian University (3-4) on Tuesday evening at Millett Hall.
Two RedHawks notched double-doubles with freshman guard Ana Richter pouring in 17 points and pulling down 10 rebounds and junior forward Jessica Rupright tallying career highs of 14 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman guard Baleigh Reid was the other RedHawk to score in double figures with 14 points. Senior guard Courtney Larson handed out eight assists in the win, one off her career high. As a team, Miami had 21 assists on 29 made baskets.
Sparked by four points apiece from Richter and Rupright, the RedHawks used a 10-4 flurry to post a double-figure advantage by the 8:34 mark, 23-13, their largest lead of the opening half. CCU closed within three, but a three-point play from sophomore forward Tamira Ford and a jumper from junior forward Hannah McCue pushed the RedHawks ahead 30-22 with just under a minute to play. The Eagles’ Amand Baute sunk a jumper with 26 seconds remaining, but Miami countered with a Richter jumper six seconds later as Miami carried a 32-24 advantage into the half.
CCU closed within six in the early minutes of the second half and trailed by seven with 14:13 to play, but Miami quickly began extending its lead. The RedHawks pounded out a 23-4 run over a six-and-a-half-minute stretch to post a 28-point lead with 6:09 to play, 68-40. Reed tossed in six points during an 8-0 Miami spurt to ignite the 23-4 run. Richter chipped the last eight of the RedHawks’ 23 points during the stretch.
The Eagles were able to shrink the gap slightly over the final minutes, but Miami rolled to the 22-point season-opening win.
CCU was led by Baute with 13 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
Miami returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 22, hosting UIC in the first game of a doubleheader with the men’s team taking on Liberty at 3:30 p.m. One ticket gains fans entrance to both games.
