DETROIT, Mich. – The Miami University women's basketball team powered past Detroit Mercy to take a 78-59 road victory. Juniors
Savannah Kluesner and
Abbey Hoff both scored career-high figures, contributing 25 and 16 points, respectively.
The RedHawks scored the first two baskets of the game and did not forfeit the lead. The teams traded buckets for much of the first quarter with the Red and White using crisp passing to pick up points in the paint.
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With less than two minutes to play in the first quarter, the Titans tied the game at 12 but the RedHawks would end the quarter on a 6-0 run to give themselves an 18-12 advantage after 10 minutes.
Miami continued its scoring run to start the second quarter, scoring 13 more unanswered points.
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After the Titans sunk their first basket of the second quarter, the RedHawks stormed back up the court and
Leah Purvis put one down for three – the first of the evening by either team.
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The Red and White kept the pressure on, scoring 26 points in the second quarter alone – the same amount that the Titans had during the first two quarters combined. At the half, Miami led by a 44-26 margin.
Less than three minutes into the second half, Kluesner made a jumper to register the first 20-point game this season among RedHawk players. After a six-point run by the Titans and a Miami timeout, Hoff got to double digits by completing a three-point play.
Miami was tight on defense as well, with three different players recording a block.
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After three quarters of play, the RedHawks held a 58-37 lead over the Titans. Throughout the fourth quarter, the teams traded baskets as multiple RedHawk players had career days.
Freshman
Nia Clark scored six points – the highest of her young Miami basketball career. In addition to scoring a career-high 16 points, Hoff also set new career bests in rebounds (six) and field goals (six). Kluesner scored a career-high 25 points on a career-best 11 field goals.
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Miami put together its best shooting performance of the season so far, shooting 32-for-62 for 51.6%. The RedHawks out-rebounded the Titans 36-27 while finishing the game minus-five in turnovers. The 'Hawks scored 56 of their points in the paint and 28 off turnovers.
Miami hosts High Point on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at noon for the annual Goals for Life game.
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