OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University women's basketball team (6-5) beat Evansville by a 72-64 margin on Sunday inside Millett Hall as
Savannah Kluesner reached 1,000 career points.
Kluesner recorded her second 20-point game of the season and sixth double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead all players in the game in both categories.
Peyton Scott and
Kelly McLaughlin also reached double figures with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Evansville opened the game with a three-pointer but Scott responded with a long-range shot of her own to tie the game at three and begin a 7-0 Miami run.
The RedHawks held a 7-3 lead with 7:29 to play in the first quarter. The teams traded baskets, including a second shot from behind the arc from Scott, as the RedHawks held a 14-10 lead with four to play in the opening quarter.
The Aces scored four-straight points to tie the game at 14 and then again at 16 and 18 before the quarter ended with the 18-18 tie.
Evansville opened the second quarter with a three-point shot to take its first lead (21-18) since the beginning of the game. Miami responded with a 12-0 run, holding the Aces without a point for four minutes. The RedHawks held a 30-21 lead with 6:21 remaining in the half.
Monique Esbrand began the run with a three-point play.
The Aces responded with a three-point play before the RedHawks ended the half on an 8-2 run, including six free throws down the stretch. Miami held a 38-26 going into the locker room.
Both teams began the second half slowly adding just two points apiece during the first 2:30 of the second half. The RedHawks hit two three-pointers back-to-back to open a 46-28 lead after four minutes of play.
Kluesner was the first RedHawk to reach double-figure scoring, doing so with 3:37 remaining in the third quarter. This is her 10
th double-figure game this season.
The teams went back-and-forth before the Aces trimmed the RedHawks' lead to single digits (54-45) with the final five points to end the third quarter.
McLaughlin reached double figures for the seventh time this season with 7:27 to play. Scott reached double figures just a couple minutes later with her third three-pointer of the game.
The Miami defense did not allow a field goal the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter but the Aces made nine free throws during that time. The RedHawks hit four free throws in the final minute to hold off Evansville.
Miami returns to action on Tuesday, Dec. 31 inside Millett Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. as the RedHawks host Tiffin for camper reunion day.
