BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Miami University women’s basketball team used its most complete offensive effort of the season to down Buffalo, 78-68, Saturday afternoon in Buffalo. The RedHawks improve to 5-20 on the season and 2-12 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bulls fall to 15-10 overall and 8-6 in the MAC.
As a team, Miami shot 52.0 percent (26-for-50), including a sizzling 61.9 percent (13-for-21) during the second half. The RedHawks were a perfect 5-for-5 from the three-point line in that period and shot 80 percent (8-for-10) from the game.
Four players led the Red and White in double figures, led by freshman guards Kayla Brown and Baleigh Reid, who scored 18 each. For Reid it was a career-high. Freshman guard Ana Richter was dominant off the bench, tying a career-high with 17 points. She also brought in eight rebounds, had three assists and two steals in 27 minutes of action. Senior point guard Courtney Larson scored 16 points in 38 minutes of action.
It was a fast-paced start to the contest as the two teams traded early baskets. Despite two early buckets from Brown, Buffalo took a quick 10-6 lead. Larson drained a three-pointer to pull the ‘Hawks within one. It was the start of a 10-4 run that was capped off by a layup from Richter and a three-pointer from junior forward Jessica Rupright and gave Miami its first lead at 16-14 with 9:57 to go.
The Bulls regained the advantage at 21-18 at the 6:13 mark. A layup by Larson helped the ‘Hawks go ahead once again. Reid and Richter took over from there, helping lead a 17-4 run that gave Miami its largest lead of the period at 35-25. Buffalo hit a layup at the buzzer that sent the game into the break with the RedHawks up, 35-27.
Brown led Miami with 10 points in the first half. Richter scored eight, while Larson and Reid each had six. The Red and White shot 44.8 percent (13-for-39) during the period.
Buffalo cut the lead to four points early in the second half before the RedHawk offense got going again. Three-pointers from Brown and Larson put Miami in front, 45-34 with 15:19 to go. Layups from Richter and Reid, along with a jumper from redshirt sophomore Tamira Ford made it 56-43 at the 9:50 mark.
Brown, Reid and Richter continued to hit shots as Miami tried to put the game away. A jumper from freshman guard Molly McDonagh gave the RedHawks their largest lead at 68-53 with 3:15 left before Buffalo began a comeback attempt.
The Bulls used free throws and turnovers to go on a quick 10-0 run that saw them pull to within five at 68-63 with 1:50 to go. A timeout helped the RedHawks regroup as Larson responded with a couple of free throws to make it a seven point advantage. Buffalo followed with a free throw and a jumper to make it 70-66 with 51 seconds to go. Reid was fouled on her next possession and drained both of her free throws to end the Bulls’ threat. Miami’s defense tightened up, and it hit its final 10 free throws in a row to finish off the 78-68 win.
The RedHawks had nine steals and 15 assists in the win. They held a 35-32 advantage on the boards; the Bulls came into the game leading the MAC in rebounding. Buffalo was led by Mackenzie Loesing with 25 points.
Miami returns to action on Wednesday when it hosts Bowling Green for a 7 p.m. contest. That is the final Dollar Days game of the season. All tickets are only $1 with select concession items only $2.
