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OXFORD, Ohio - Despite leading for nearly three quarters of the game, the Miami women's basketball team fell just short in a 61-59 defeat at the hands of the Bowling Green Falcons at Millett Hall on Saturday. With the loss, Miami drops to 9-18 overall (3-11 in the Mid-American) and Bowling Green improves to 7-19 (3-11 in the MAC).

Freshman guard Lauren Dickerson led the way for MU, scoring a game-high 22 points. This marks the 22nd time in 26 games in which she has reached double-digits.

Miami got off to a hot start behind Dickerson, jumping out to a 20-12 advantage in the first quarter off 80 percent shooting from the floor. The RedHawk defense was suffocating from the start, holding Bowling Green to just 4-of-18 shooting to start the game.

The second period began with more hot shooting from Miami that saw it extend its lead to 28-14, but the Falcons responded with a 21-7 run over the final 6:29 of the half capped off by three straight Sydney Lambert three-pointers. This sent both teams into the locker room deadlocked at 35.

The `Hawks regained their defensive footing in the third period, holding BSGU to only seven points and retaking their lead 44-42. This however, would prove to be short lived as the Falcons took their first lead of the ballgame a minute into the fourth quarter. Even after a wild closing sequence, Bowling Green would not relinquish this lead.

With Miami trailing 61-56 and 24 seconds to play, Lauren Dickerson buried a triple to cut it to a one-possession game. A Bowling Green turnover on the ensuing possession gave the ball right back to the RedHawks. After a missed Miami three and two missed BG free throws, MU would have one final chance to tie or take the lead. Dickerson found herself with an open look from behind the arc, but her effort would come up just wide as the final buzzer sounded.

Dickerson would also finish with six rebounds and four assists. Sophomore forward Kendall McCoy had a big outing for the RedHawks as well, scoring nine points and grabbing a career-high 15 rebounds. Leading the way for BG was sophomore guard Sydney Lambert with 20 points.

Miami finished the contest shooting 45 percent from the floor, while Bowling Green shot 35 percent. The Falcons outrebounded the `Hawks, 39-35.

Miami returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to Akron to take on the Zips. They close out the home schedule on Wednesday, March 1 for the Fan Appreciation game against Kent State.