OXFORD, Ohio— The Miami University women's basketball team dropped a 87-68 decision to Xavier in the season opener for both teams Monday night at Millett Hall. Maddi Cluse scored a career-high 24 points to lead the RedHawks (0-1). Ivy Wolf chipped in 17 points and added a career-high six steals. Kaleigh Addie scored 21 points to lead four players in double figures for Xavier (1-0).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The teams played to a 14-14 tie after the first quarter. Cluse went a perfect 4-4 from the floor in the period, pouring in nine points to lead the RedHawks' offense. Wolf contributed five points, draining a three-pointer and then knocking home a mid-range pull-up to even the score with nine seconds to play in the quarter.
• Miami put together a 13-4 run in the second quarter, taking its largest lead of the half at 30-25. However, the Musketeers answered back with 10 straight points and ended up with a 37-34 halftime advantage heading into the locker room.
• After a back-and-forth first few minutes of the third quarter, Miami took a 47-46 lead out of the media timeout on a pass from Riley Neal to a cutting Katey Richason. The visitors responded with a 18-2 run to close the period and break the game open.
• The RedHawks kept battling, getting as close as 73-64 on a Cluse three-pointer with 6:20 to play. Xavier stretched out the margin from there, with the final score representing the largest lead for either team.

           
NOTES

• Clare Chambers scored the first nine points of her college career for the Red and White.
• Wolf had a game-high five assists, with Jessie Dai adding four off the bench.
• Neal, Dai and Sierra Morrow made their Miami debuts.

 
UP NEXT:
The RedHawks are back in action Friday morning, Nov. 11 at Millett Hall. Tip time against Vermont is set for 10:15 a.m. in Oxford.