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MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The RedHawk women's basketball team opened their two game road trip with an 80-61 defeat to Central Michigan on Wednesday evening. The loss puts Miami's record at 7-12 (1-5 MAC) on the season while the Chippewas took over sole control of the MAC West by improving to 12-4 (6-0 MAC).

Freshman Guard Lauren Dickerson led the MU offensive effort for the 13th time this season by posting 19 points. Joining her in double figures was Kendall McCoy with 11 points, her third game in the last four outings with 11 or more points.

Central Michigan grabbed an early 4-2 lead but the RedHawks responded with an 8-0 run sparked by baskets from Dickerson and Leah Purvis. The Chippewas answered with an 8-0 run of their own, taking a 12-10 lead into the media timeout with 3:44 to go in the first frame. CMU continued its control with five straight points out of the break before a Savannah Kluesner jumper ended the MU scoring drought. A Chippewa free throw and a Dickerson layup capped off the opening quarter as CMU held an 18-14 advantage after 10 minutes of play.

The second quarter saw the teams start by trading a few buckets with a Dickerson layup cutting the deficit to just two at 22-20 in favor of CMU. The Chippewas took control by scoring the next 14 points, part of a 24-8 overall run that saw them take a 44-28 lead into the locker room.

MIami opened the second half strong with a 7-2 run behind a three-pointer from Dickerson, as well as two-point baskets from Kluesner and Kayla Brown. Again, CMU was able to respond, this time with a 14-4 run to close the third quarter. The Chippewas owned a 60-39 lead with just 10 minutes to go.

Layups by McCoy and Brown kicked off the fourth and final frame for the `Hawks, but CMU struck back by capturing the next 11 points. Following a Dickerson jumper, the teams entered the final media timeout with the Chippewas ahead, 73-47. Central Michigan took the first four points out of the timeout but Miami followed with a 10-2 run with scores from Dickerson, Kluesner and Molly McDonagh. The surge came too late as the Chippewas grabbed the win.

The RedHawks will remain on the road as they head straight to DeKalb, Ill., to take on Northern Illinois on Saturday. Tip is set for 2 p.m. with the game streaming live on ESPN3.