VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Miami University women's basketball team (7-1) beat Valparaiso (3-6) by a 68-47 margin on Saturday. Nia Clark, Lauren Dickerson, Savannah Kluesner and Kendall McCoy all scored in double figures.

Miami started the game on a 6-0 run before Valpo tied the game at six after three minutes of play with two shots from long range. Valpo made the next two three-pointers to take its first lead of the game, 12-10, with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter.

The game was tied again at 12 at 16 points before Miami's 6-2 run to end the first quarter gave the RedHawks a 22-18 lead after 10 minutes of play.

Valpo got the first basket of the second quarter before Miami went on a 7-0 run to take a 29-20 lead with 7:28 to play in the second quarter. The 7-0 run by the RedHawks was started by a three-pointer from Kenzie Schmitz, her first of the season.
 

Here's a look at that shot from @kenzischmitz !!#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/OAB8smUnGm

— Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) December 8, 2018

 
The Crusaders cut the RedHawks lead to five points (32-27) midway through the second quarter before Miami put together an 8-2 run to end the first half with a 40-29 lead. Dickerson and Clark each reached double figures in the first half with Dickerson sinking three from long range.
 

Here's the shot that gave @L_13_O double-figure scoring in the first half! That's three from behind the arc.#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/B5zIh0UmAo

— Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) December 8, 2018

 
Miami held Valpo's offense to just three points in the third quarter, the RedHawks' best defensive quarter of the season. The Red and White started the second half with a 7-0 run before the Crusaders scored their only field goal of the third quarter. The 7-0 run included a three-pointer from McCoy, her first of two this game.
 

Nice shot, @krmccoy07 !! Miami is 6-of-11 from behind the arc today!#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/LcDu0zgtXn

— Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) December 8, 2018

 
Both teams went on a four-minute scoring drought in the middle of the third before Kristen Levering sunk her first of the game with 2:20 left in the quarter. Miami ended the third quarter with a 55-32 lead.

Miami scored the first few points of the fourth quarter before Valpo answered. The Crusaders were able to put together a 9-0 run to cut the RedHawks' lead to 62-44 midway through the fourth quarter. Both sides tightened up defensively during the fourth quarter.
 

Check out this block from @ab_hoff ! Miami leads 64-44!#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/b4snfiIzYt

— Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) December 8, 2018

 
Neither team made a basket in the last 2:36 of play as the final five points were scored on free throws. The RedHawks did not allow a field goal in the last 6:20 of the game. The Miami defense forced Valpo to shoot just 18 percent from the floor in the second half.

The RedHawks will take a trip down south to play at Florida A&M on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. The RedHawks then face off at Jacksonville State on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 6:15 p.m. before returning to Oxford for the holidays.