Miami University
Davidson
RedHawks Defeat Davidson, 59-58
12/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – It came down to the last play, but some timely shots and a last second defensive stand gave the Miami University women’s basketball team a 59-58 win over Davidson in its final game at the Cavalier Classic on Monday. The RedHawks improve to 3-8 on the season, while the Wildcats fall to 4-9.
In front 59-58 with seven seconds to go, Miami smartly used its two fouls to give to keep Davidson from getting its offense set. With 4.7 seconds left the Wildcats drove to the middle of the lane, but freshman guard Kayla Brown came up with a huge block and junior forward Hannah McCue corralled the rebound to secure the victory.
For the second consecutive game, senior point guard Courtney Larson took a leadership role on the floor. She finished with eight points, four assists and three rebounds while running the Miami offense. For the second straight weekend she earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
McCue came up with several key shots and helped lead the Miami defense. She had her third double-double of the season, finishing with a team-high 15 points and 11 rebounds. McCue had a career-high six steals in 32 minutes of action.
Despite playing strong on defense, the RedHawks started cold from the floor as Davidson took an early 8-4 lead. McCue got the offense going when she drained a shot from the top of the key. A layup from freshman guard Ana Richter and a jumper by McCue pulled the ‘Hawks to within one at 12-11 before a 5-0 lead gave the Wildcats their largest lead at 17-11 with 10:05 left in the period.
A 6-0 run by Miami, punctuated by back-to-back layups from freshman forward Molly McDonagh and McCue tied the score at 17. After Davidson retook the lead, a jumper and a three-pointer by McCue put the ‘Hawks back on top, 22-19. Tied at 22 and with only two seconds left on the shot clock, Larson found Richter behind the arc. Richter then hit an off-balanced three-pointer to put Miami in front again. The Red and White would hold that advantage into halftime, going into the break with a 27-25 lead.
A jumper by junior forward Jessica Rupright and a three-pointer from Brown gave the ‘Hawks their largest lead at 32-25. Davidson responded with a 7-1 run to close to within one at 36-35 with 16:25 to go. In front, 40-38, Larson was fouled on a three-pointer and converted the free throw for a rare four-point play to make it 44-38 at the 11:41 mark.
Miami was able to maintain a four-to-six point advantage over the next eight minutes as Rupright and McCue each converted layups down low. Brown hit a jumper with 4:37 left to give Miami a 55-49 advantage. The Wildcats responded with two straight baskets to pull within two at the 3:09 mark.
McCue drained a pair of free throws, but Davidson answered with another bucket to make it 57-55. Freshman guard Baleigh Reid hit two key free throws with 57 seconds left to make it a four-point game. That proved to be key points as Davidson’s Alex Long drained a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one with 42 seconds to go. Miami’s next shot was blocked, but the defense held tough to finish off the 59-58 win.
In addition to McCue’s 15, Rupright had 14 points, while Larson and Brown each had eight. Miami forced Davidson into 19 turnovers and was tied in the rebounds with the Wildcats at 36. DU was led by Hannah Early with 18 points.
The RedHawks begin Mid-American Conference play on Saturday when they travel to Toledo on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tim Bray has the call and it can be heard live on Miami All-Access for those who have a subscription.
