OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University women’s basketball team held Buffalo scoreless over an eight and a half minute period during the second half to get back into the game, but its offense went cold late as the Bulls pulled away to take a 71-51 victory on Saturday afternoon. The RedHawks fall to 3-11 overall and 0-3 in the Mid-American Conference. Buffalo improves to 8-6 overall and 1-2 in the MAC.
The RedHawks were led offensively by freshman guard Baleigh Reid. She finished with a team-high 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting. She also brought in four rebounds in 34 minutes of action.
Reid and junior forward Jessica Rupright each hit jumpers, but the Bulls jumped to a 10-7 lead to begin the contest. Buffalo eventually pushed the advantage to 19-9 with 11:03 left in the half before the Miami offense got on track.
Rupright drained a three, while junior forward Hannah McCue and senior point guard Courtney Larson followed with layups. An old-fashioned three-point play by Reid pulled the ‘Hawks to within six at 25-19 with 8:57 to go. Trailing 34-27, freshman guard Ana Richter got behind the defense and scored a layup to put Miami down five. UB closed the half on an 8-1 run to take a 42-30 lead into halftime.
McCue, Reid and Richter each had baskets but the Bulls pushed the lead to 18 at 54-36 with 14:26 to go. That is when the RedHawk defense took over, allowing them to begin a comeback attempt.
Over the next 8:33, Miami held Buffalo without a point. McCue had a pair of buckets, while Reid also scored as the ‘Hawks finished off an 11-0 run over the period to close the deficit to within seven at 54-47. Unfortunately, the Red and White went on a scoring slump of their own at that point as UB closed the game on a 17-3 run to take a 71-51 victory.
In addition to Reid’s 14, Larson scored 11 while McCue and Richter each finished with eight. Richter also had a team-high six rebounds. Miami had 19 offensive rebounds, but lost the overall rebound battle to the Bulls, 45-34. Buffalo was led by Christa Baccas with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The RedHawks continue a three-game home stand on Wednesday when they host Central Michigan at 7 p.m.
