Miami University
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Mississippi State
No. 20 Mississippi State Drops Miami, 68-42
12/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
LAS VEGAS – The Miami University women’s basketball team battled hard throughout against another ranked opponent in No. 20/21 Mississippi State on Sunday, but the Bulldogs eventually pulled away for a 68-42 victory. It was the RedHawks second and final game at the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas. Miami falls to 2-7 on the season, while MSU improves to 14-0.
The contest was highlighted by another tremendous effort manning the point by senior guard Courtney Larson. In addition to scoring three points, she had five assists, seven rebounds, a steal and a block in 30 minutes of action. Combined with her six assist performance against Old Dominion on Saturday, Larson earned a spot on the All-Tournament team.
The RedHawks opened the game playing relentless defense to keep the Bulldogs from driving the ball inside. A very athletic team, Mississippi State also played strong defense, forcing Miami into several outside shots. Freshman guards Kayla Brown and Baleigh Reid, along with junior forward Hannah McCue were able to hit those shots, keeping the ‘Hawks within two, 8-6, at the 12:48 mark of the first half.
A 9-2 run by the Bulldogs pushed their advantage to nine at 17-8, but Miami kept fighting with buckets by freshman guard Ana Richter and freshman forward Molly McDonagh. Trailing 24-14, McCue was able to grab an offensive rebound and put it back in to pull the ‘Hawks to within eight. Reid closed the half with a bucket at the 2:20 mark, but a late offensive flurry by MSU freshman Victoria Vivians allowed the Bulldogs to take a 31-18 lead into the half.
Miami shot 30.8 percent (8-for-26) for the half, while holding Mississippi State to 35.9 percent (14-for-39) shooting. The RedHawks outrebounded the Bulldogs, 24-20, during the period.
Early turnovers by Miami allowed MSU to open up the second half on a 15-4 run and break the game open at 46-22. The RedHawks responded by driving to the basket more, getting fouls and converting on their free throws. Trailing 54-29, baskets from Brown, Reid and redshirt sophomore forward Tamira Ford helped pull the ‘Hawks to within 21 at 56-35 with 4:36 to go. McDonagh drained a couple of shots late to complete Miami’s scoring.
Reid led the RedHawks with nine points, while McCue scored eight. McDonagh and Rupright each scored six. Miami outrebounded Mississippi State, 47-35, with Ford tying Larson for the team lead with seven.
Defensively, the Red and White held the Bulldogs to 32.9 percent (30-for-70) shooting, including 15.4 percent (2-for-13) from behind the arc. MSU came into the game averaging 86.2 points per game; Miami held the Bulldogs to their second lowest scoring output of the season.
Miami will complete non-conference play after the holidays when it heads to down to Charlottesville, Virginia for the Cavalier Classic, Dec. 28-29. On Sunday, Dec. 28, the RedHawks will take on Drexel at noon. Miami completes play at the tournament on Monday, Dec. 29 when it faces Davidson at 4:30 p.m.
