EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Miami University women’s basketball team had a strong defensive effort, but a tough shooting night and too many turnovers led to a 51-41 defeat at Evansville Saturday evening. The RedHawks fall to 2-4 overall, while the Purple Aces improve to 3-4.
Miami held Evansville to 33.3 percent (19-for-57) for the contest. The 51 points scored by the Aces was 17 under their season average. However, the RedHawks were only able to shoot 28.6 percent (14-for-49) themselves and turned the ball over 24 times.
Both teams started off slowly offensively as a jumper from senior point guard Courtney Larson was Miami’s only basket in the first five minutes. The ‘Hawks only allowed one Evansville layup during that time period, keeping the score tied at two. A three-pointer from freshman guard Kayla Brown put the ‘Hawks ahead, while back-to-back layups from freshman guards Baleigh Reid and Ana Richter gave Miami a 9-4 lead with 12:55 remaining in the half.
The RedHawks were unable to score for the next 5:58 as the Purple Aces went on a 15-0 run to take a 19-9 lead. A jumper from Reid stopped the bleeding, while buckets from Brown and Larson were part of a 9-2 run that pulled Miami to within three with 21 seconds remaining. Evansville scored the final five points to take a 26-18 lead into the break.
After the Purple Aces opened the second half with a free throw, a 7-0 run by the Red and White made it 27-25 with 16:31 remaining. Reid had a pair of layups during that stretch, while junior forward Jessica Rupright drained a three-pointer. Evansville pushed the lead back to five, but a three-pointer by Brown made it 30-28 with 16:01 to go.
Another scoring drought for Miami allowed the Aces to go on a 15-4 run over the next eight minutes to build a 45-32 lead. A layup by Brown a three-pointer from Reid pulled the RedHawks to within seven at 45-38 with 4:46 to go, but Evansville closed on a 6-3 lead to take a 51-41 victory.
Reid led Miami with 11 points, while Brown finished with 10. Junior forward Hannah McCue brought in a team-high 16 rebounds. The RedHawks outrebounded the Purple Aces for the game, 46-33. Evansville was led by Mallory Ladd with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Miami is off for the next week for final exams. The RedHawks return to action on Monday, Dec. 15 when they host UT Martin at 7 p.m. That is the first Dollar Days contest of the season, and admission is only $1 with select concession items only $2.
