Miami University
#1 Central Michigan (Semifinals)
RedHawks Fall Just Short in MAC Semifinals
3/9/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CLEVELAND - Despite falling behind by 15 points in the first half, the Miami University women's basketball team nearly made a remarkable comeback to take the lead late, but ultimately fell just short to top-seeded Central Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Semifinals, 61-58, on Friday. Miami falls to 21-10 on the season, while the Chippewas improve to 27-4 and advance to the MAC Championship game on Saturday.
Sophomore guard Lauren Dickerson was key in leading the RedHawk comeback attempt, finishing with a game-high 21 points. Junior forward Kendall McCoy finished with 10 for Miami, while junior guard Leah Purvis hit a pair of key three-pointers and had eight.
Dickerson got Miami on the board with a triple that gave it the early 3-2 lead. Central Michigan scored next four points before a McCoy three-pointer made it 7-6 with 6:24 to go. The prolific Chippewa offense hit a pair of threes to build an advantage. McCoy had another jumper fall, but CMU ended the first quarter with a 21-10 lead.
The trey! @L_13_O gets us on the board and into the lead with the triple!
Watch Live: https://t.co/SyHLKiNGnd pic.twitter.com/d1qb4TVlwj-- Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) March 9, 2018
We're battling hard as @krmccoy07 hits the three to get us within one!
Watch Live: https://t.co/SyHLKiNGnd pic.twitter.com/lUGL9xRsee-- Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) March 9, 2018
After a layup from McCoy to open the second quarter, the Chippewas went on a 6-0 run to build a 27-12 lead with 7:05 to go. The RedHawks defense clamped up at that point as they did not allow Central Michigan another point the rest of the half. A layup from Purvis started the Miami comeback. Dickerson hit three free throws to make it 27-17 at the 4:18 mark. Back-to-back three-pointers from McCoy and Dickerson cut the deficit to three, while a layup in the final seconds by Dickerson completed the 13-0 run and sent the Red and White into the break down only two, 27-25.
This isn't over! This 3 from @krmccoy07 and one that followed from @L_13_O gets us within 4 at 27-23!
Watch Live: https://t.co/SyHLKiNGnd pic.twitter.com/OJFznV068w-- Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) March 9, 2018
Dickerson scored 13 in the first half to lead Miami, while McCoy contributed 10.
Back-to-back layups from sophomore forward Savannah Kluesner gave Miami a 29-27 lead early in the third quarter. Central Michigan finally scored to end the 17-0 run and eventually built its lead back to three at 36-33 with 6:21 to go. Layups from redshirt junior guard Baleigh Reid and senior forward Molly McDonagh kept the RedHawks within a possession, while Purvis drained a three to make it 40-38 in favor of Miami at the 3:00 mark. Dickerson would hit a layup, but the Chippewas closed on a 5-2 run to take a 45-42 advantage into the final period.
Tie game! @skluesner32 opens the half with this layup to tie the score at 27!
Watch Live: https://t.co/SyHLKiNGnd pic.twitter.com/7Ju3oKjt56-- Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) March 9, 2018
And with this shot @skluesner32 gives us the lead!
Watch Live: https://t.co/SyHLKiNGnd pic.twitter.com/pdyvh01YN5-- Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) March 9, 2018
Nifty pass from @L_13_O to @mollamolla25 for the layup!
Watch Live: https://t.co/SyHLKiNGnd pic.twitter.com/C8dK0cx6uL-- Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) March 9, 2018
Back in the lead as @leahpurvis drains the shot from behind the arc!
Watch Live: https://t.co/SyHLKiNGnd pic.twitter.com/JfoZzjYC3w-- Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) March 9, 2018
Purvis opened the fourth quarter with a three to tie the score. After the teams traded buckets, a layup from Kluesner gave the RedHawks a 49-47 advantage with 7:17 to go. Central Michigan answered with a 6-2 run, but a triple from Reid made it 54-53 in favor of Miami at the 4:10 mark.
Opening the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer by @leahpurvis to tie the score!
Watch Live: https://t.co/SyHLKiNGnd pic.twitter.com/Zuq84kqRKM-- Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) March 9, 2018
The Chippewas regained the lead on a pair of free throws, but Dickerson followed with back-to-back layups to give the RedHawks their largest lead of the contest at 58-55 with 2:38 to go. A layup by CMU pulled it to within one, and it took a 59-58 lead on a jumper by Reyna Frost with 1:04 to go. Miami was unable to score on its next possession and was forced to foul with 9.2 seconds remaining. Central Michigan converted on both free throws to make it 61-58. The RedHawks would get three looks at the tying three-pointer, but ultimately they would not drop as the Chippewas escaped with the victory.
Huge 3 from @b_reid24 makes it 54-53 Miami! Final media timeout with 3:19 to go!
Watch Live: https://t.co/SyHLKiNGnd pic.twitter.com/UrdkPxhJti-- Miami University WBB (@MiamiOH_WBB) March 9, 2018
Reid finished with seven points for Miami, while Kluesner had six points and six rebounds. Senior forward Molly McDonagh finished with seven rebounds to lead the RedHawks. Central Michigan was led by Frost, who had a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds.
