OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University women's basketball team dropped an 82-69 decision to Bowling Green on Wednesday evening at Millett Hall. Miami honored its three seniors prior to the contest, including
Lauren Dickerson,
Savannah Kluesner and
Bree Paulson.
Much of Wednesday's excitement was built around the anticipation of Dickerson becoming Miami's all-time leading scoring. While Dickerson managed just eight points (is now six points shy of the record), she did find a way to contribute in other ways. The senior added 10 assists, four rebounds and three steals.
Kluesner led Miami with 17 points and chipped in four assists and four rebounds.
Peyton Scott added 14 points.
Miami's defense forced 22 turnovers, but Bowling held a 49-33 rebounding margin.
Bowling Green (10-19, 3-14 MAC) raced out to an 18-5 advantage with 2:30 left in the first half before Miami's offense started to find its rhythm.
Monique Esbrand connected on a triple while Scott and
Vannessa Garrelts got loose for a pair of layups to cut BG's lead to 18-12 with 60 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.
Back-to-back three pointers from Schmitz midway through the second quarter and a jumper from
Tihanna Fulton closed the gap, 31-26. Moments later the lead was back to nine before Schmitz beat the buzzer for her third triple of the half as the Falcons led 39-33.
Miami (11-18, 4-13 MAC) opened the third quarter on a 14-7 run. Garrelts hit a triple midway through the third and Scott connected on a contested jumper on the other side of the media timeout to give Miami a 47-46 lead, its first lead since 2-0. Kluesner added a layup and Scott got open on a fast break for a three pointer to give Miami its biggest lead of the game, 54-49 with less than 30 seconds to play in the third stanza.
Miami was forced to use a timeout after the Falcons reclaimed the lead, 60-58, with 7:06 to play. Bowling Green extended its lead to 68-60 as Miami went scoreless for nearly three minutes of play.
The RedHawks got within 70-64 with 2:01 to play, but could get no closer.
Miami closes out the regular season with a Saturday tilt at Ohio. Opening tip is slated for 1 p.m.
