Box Score

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Miami University women's basketball team opened Mid-American Conference action on the road at Buffalo on Saturday, falling to the Bulls in a 71-45 decision. The RedHawks drop to 6-8 (0-1 MAC) on the year, while UB improved to 11-1 (1-0 MAC).

Kristen Levering paced the MU scoring effort for the second time this season with 10 points. Lauren Dickerson, Molly McDonagh and Kayla Brown each chipped in seven points. The Bulls were led by JoAnna Smith's 11 points.

The RedHawks owned an early 5-4 lead four minutes in courtesy of two free throws and a Savannah Kluesner triple, but Buffalo responded with a 10-1 run over the next several minutes. With 2:53 remaining in the opening quarter, a Brown layup ended the MU field goal drought. The Red & White closed the frame with a jumper from Dickerson and a three-pointer from Kendall McCoy, but the Bulls answered each time. Through one, Buffalo held a 20-13 advantage.

Miami opened the second frame with an 8-1 run behind baskets from Molly McDonagh and Levering, as well as a free throw from Brown. The seventh and eighth points of the run came on a game-tying layup from Leah Purvis. Following a UB triple and a Levering lay-in, a media timeout with 4:13 remaining had the score at 24-23 in favor of the Bulls. A late surge from Buffalo saw them capture the final ten points of the quarter to enter the half with a 34-23 lead.

The Bulls carried their strong end to the first half into the opening minutes the second, scoring the third quarter's first nine points before layups from Dickerson and McDonagh suppressed the run. UB responded with a layup of their own and entered the media timeout ahead, 45-27, with 4:21 left in the period. The teams traded chances over the last couple minutes, with the Bulls ultimately holding a 53-32 advantage through 30 minutes of play.

Miami had five different scorers in the final quarter but UB's balanced attack continued and thwarted any chance of a RedHawk comeback. The Bulls finished the game with a .382 field goal percentage on 26-of-68 shooting, while MU hit a quarter of its 56 attempts.

The Red & White get back on the court for its MAC home opener on Wednesday against Western Michigan. Tip is set for 7 p.m.