OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University women’s basketball team used a steady offensive effort throughout the game and a shutout defensive performance over the final nine minutes to secure a 59-51 victory over Bowling Green Wednesday night. The RedHawks improve to 6-20 overall and 3-12 in the Mid-American Conference. The Falcons fall to 9-17 overall and 2-13 in the MAC.
Miami was able to keep BGSU out of the paint all night, as the RedHawks held the Falcons to only 10 points down low the entire game. However Bowling Green stayed in the contest by hitting 10 three-pointers. MU was able to counter by hitting eight three-pointers of its own.
Junior forward Hannah McCue had four of those three-pointers, as she finished with 14 points. She also brought in 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Freshman guard Baleigh Reid led the ‘Hawks with 15 points, while senior point guard Courtney Larson was also in double figures with 12 points.
After freshman guard Kayla Brown opened the game with a layup, Bowling Green countered with a three-pointer to take a 3-2 lead. Larson followed with a three-pointer at the 19:00 mark to put the RedHawks in front. They would never trail again.
With Miami in front 10-8 at the 16:24 mark, it would go on a 13-0 run to take a 23-8 lead with 10:53 to go. McCue hit a pair of three-pointers, while junior forward Jessica Rupright also hit a triple. Bowling Green fought back to close to within seven at 25-18, but a three pointer from Brown and a layup by Ana Richter made it a 12-point game once again at the 2:25 mark. The Falcons closed on a 5-0 run to send the game into the break with the RedHawks up, 30-23.
McCue had nine in the first half, while Brown had seven. Miami shot 39.3 percent (11-for-28) for the period, including 46.2 percent (6-for-13) from behind the arc.
Reid took the ball to the basket early and often in the second half as the ‘Hawks pushed the advantage back to 11 at 40-29 with 15:12 to go. Miami’s shot went cold over the next three minutes, allowing the Falcons to go on a 10-1 run to pull with three at 41-39 at the 13:03 mark. A free throw from Reid and a three-pointer by Larson made it a six-point game, but the Falcons answered with five more points to pull within four at 48-44 with 9:30 to go.
The RedHawks’ defense took over as it did not allow Bowling Green to hit a single field goal over the next 8:52 of the game. During that time frame, McCue and Reid hit layups as part of a 6-2 run that made it 54-46 with 59 seconds to go. The Falcons finally scored on a three-pointer with 38 seconds left, but Miami hit all of its free throws down the stretch, while a steal and layup from Reid sealed the 59-51 win.
Miami finished the game shooting 40.8 percent (20-for-49), while holding Bowling Green to 39.6 percent (19-for-48) shooting. Brown had eight points, three assists, two steals, three rebounds and one block in 35 minutes of action. The Falcons were led by Rachel Myers with 13 points.
Miami has its final home game of the season on Saturday when it welcomes Kent State to Millett Hall for a 1 p.m. contest. Prior to the game, there will be a ceremony honoring seniors Larson and Katy Dolesh. It is part of a doubleheader that will see the men’s basketball team take on Bowling Green at 3:30 p.m.
