Miami University
Cincinnati
RedHawks Drop Defensive Battle to Bearcats
11/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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OXFORD, Ohio - Following an impressive opening run, the Miami University women's basketball team was unable to consistently score, falling, 49-43, to the University of Cincinnati Tuesday afternoon at Millett Hall.
Sophomore guard Leah Purvis led the RedHawks (2-2) in scoring with 11 points, while junior forward Molly McDonagh grabbed seven rebounds. The RedHawks shot 23.8 percent from the field and knocked in five 3-pointers.
Miami opened the game with a 12-5 run that was powered by five quick points from junior guard Jazz Smith. As the first quarter waned, the Bearcats (3-1), led by senior guard Bianca Quisenberry and junior forward Shanice Johnson, used a 10-5 sequence to close the score to 17-15.
Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter, although Miami was able to drop a few buckets and build a 25-21 lead late in the period. Yet, after nearly seven minutes without a field goal, UC closed out with five points in the final minute to lead 26-25 as the teams headed to the locker room for halftime.
Cincinnati's scoring continued in the early portion of the third quarter, extending its lead to 34-28 at the 5:32 mark. After finally breaking a long field goal drought, Miami narrowed the margin to 37-33 with 24 seconds remaining, but UC hit a 3-pointer at the third quarter buzzer to steal back momentum.
Now holding control, the Bearcats opened the fourth on an 8-0 run that extended their lead to a game-high 12 points. Miami soon responded with a 6-0 run that closed the tally to within six with just over five minutes to play. Scoring was scarce over the final minutes, but a 3-pointer by freshman guard Lauren Dickerson brought the score to 47-43 with 21.3 seconds left. The Bearcats sealed the game with a pair of free throw makes in the closing moments.
The RedHawks will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 26 as they face La Salle at noon in the UNCW Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Tournament in Wilmington, N.C
