KENT, Ohio – The Miami University women’s basketball team used a complete effort both on the offensive and defensive end to come away with their first Mid-American Conference win on Wednesday. The RedHawks defeated Kent State, 69-53. Miami improves to 4-18 overall and 1-10 in the MAC. The Golden Flashes fall to 3-19 overall and 1-10 in the MAC.
All night Miami made the extra pass to find the open shooter. The Red and White had 18 assists on 24 made baskets. Senior point guard Courtney Larson and junior forward Hannah McCue led the way with six assists apiece.
Freshman guard Baleigh Reid had several family members and friends in attendance as Kent State is close to her hometown of Twinsburg. She did not disappoint as she finished with a game-high 15 points in 35 minutes of action.
Kent State was hot from the field early as it quickly built a 6-0 lead. Despite two three-point makes from Larson, the Golden Flashes pushed the advantage to seven at 13-6 at the 15:10 mark. Miami’s defense clamped down at that point, holding KSU to only two points over the next seven minutes. During that time, junior forward Jessica Rupright hit a pair of layups, while freshman guard Ana Richter drained a three-pointer as part of a 13-2 run that gave the ‘Hawks a 19-15 lead with 8:41 to go in the period.
The Golden Flashes scored the next five points to regain the advantage, but yet another Miami trifecta, this time from Reid, put the ‘Hawks back in front. Larson found Rupright down low for another layup, while Richter drained her second 3-pointer of the half to send MU into the break in front, 30-24.
Miami shot 9-for-25 (36.0 percent) from the field, but was a strong 5-for 12 (41.7 percent) from behind the arc. The RedHawks held Kent State to 9-for-29 (31.0 percent) shooting during the first half. The Red and White were led by Reid in the period with seven points.
Miami came out on fire to start the second half as a pair of buckets from freshman forward Molly McDonagh, along with baskets by McCue and freshman guard Kayla Brown were part of a 12-5 run that put the RedHawks up 42-29 with 15:05 to go. Breakaway layups from redshirt sophomore forward Tamira Ford and Brown helped push the lead to 19 at 54-35 at the 8:57 mark.
A three-pointer from Larson, along with layups from Reid and McCue gave Miami its largest lead at 61-40. Kent State closed to within 15 with four minutes to go, but the RedHawks found Rupright down low for their final six points to finish off a 69-51 win.
Miami shot a sizzling 15-for-24 (62.5 percent) from the field during the second half, finishing at 49 percent (24-for-49) for the game.
In addition to Reid’s 15 points, Rupright had 12 and Larson had 11. Larson finished with 11 points, six rebounds and six assists, while McCue had eight points, seven rebounds and six assists. Miami outrebounded Kent State, 33-29. The Golden Flashes were led by Larissa Lurken with 15 points.
Miami returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Ohio for the second annual Think Pink game at 1 p.m. The contest will be broadcast live on Time Warner Cable, ESPN Full Court and ESPN3. It is part of a doubleheader that will see the men’s basketball team also face the Bobcats at 3:30 p.m.
