Box Score | Box Score (PDF) | Coach Wright Postgame

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Miami University women's basketball team had a great defensive effort throughout the first half, but a 15-0 run in the middle of the third quarter by Buffalo changed the momentum and led the Bulls to a 58-39 win on Saturday. The RedHawks fall to 9-16 overall and 3-11 in the Mid-American Conference. Buffalo improves to 13-12 overall and 5-9 in the MAC.

Miami was led by sophomore guard Kayla Brown and freshman guard Kendall McCoy, who scored 11 points apiece. Brown just missed a double-double, finishing with a career-high eight rebounds. The RedHawks held Buffalo to only 33.3 percent (24-for-72) shooting for the game, but were hurt by 21 offensive rebounds by the Bulls.

A jumper from Brown and a three-pointer from McCoy put Miami in front, 5-4, to begin the first quarter. The Red and White played strong defense throughout the period, allowing only three more points. A three-pointer by Brown a free throw from sophomore guard Ana Richter gave the RedHawks a 9-8 lead at the end of the first.

Miami's shot was cold to begin the second quarter, allowing Buffalo to build a 14-11 lead with 5:38 left. McCoy drained a bucket to help the `Hawks eventually tie the score at 14, but the Bulls took an 18-14 advantage at the 2:49 mark. Miami would not allow Buffalo to score the remainder of the half. A layup from freshman point guard Leah Purvis and two free throws from freshman forward Kristen Levering tied the score. A jumper by McCoy with 20 seconds remaining sent the RedHawks into the break with a 20-18 lead.

The RedHawks shot only 30.4 percent (7-for-23) during the first half, but held the lead with an impressive defensive effort that saw them hold the Bulls to 20.0 percent (7-for-35) shooting. McCoy led Miami with seven points in the half, while Brown had five points and six rebounds.

After Buffalo tied the score to open the second half, a three-pointer from Brown put the RedHawks on top, 23-20, with 9:05 remaining in the period. Miami was unable to score for the next four and a half minutes, which allowed Buffalo to go on a 15-0 run that gave it a 35-23 lead with 4:30 to go. A jumper by McCoy stopped the bleeding, but the Bulls pushed the advantage to 41-28 at the end of the third quarter.

Back-to-back layups from senior forward Tamira Ford and Levering helped pull the `Hawks to within 11 at 43-32 early in the fourth quarter. Despite a couple of buckets by sophomore forward Molly McDonagh and Richter, Buffalo was able to extend the lead to as much as 22 points during the period. McCoy drained a layup at the end to close the scoring and make it 58-39.

Miami shot 29.8 (14-for-47) for the game. The Bulls finished with a 50-38 overall rebounding advantage and were led by Joanna Smith with 19 points.

The RedHawks return to action on Wednesday when they host Akron at 7 p.m. It is the Paws for a Cause contest and will feature several adoptable pets on the concourse prior to the game.