ON TAP: The Miami University women's basketball team opens Mid-American Conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 1 versus Ball State inside Millett Hall. Opening tip is slated for 1 p.m.

FINDING HER GROOVE: Over the past five games, Enjulina Gonzalez has averaged 23.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. She has scored at least 18 points in each of the past five contests, including 27 in a win at Dayton and 29 points at FIU, helping the RedHawks to a 2-0 weekend. She was named to the Christmas Classic All-Tournament Team last weekend.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: Amber Tretter recorded 10 double-doubles last season as a true freshman with the RedHawks. In fact, her 222 rebounds was the most in a single-season by a freshman in program history. This season she is nearly averaging a double-double in points (11.0) and rebounds (7.5), despite only playing 24.6 minutes per contest. She has two double-doubles this season and four different times finished a contest with nine rebounds.

ABOUT BALL STATE: The Cardinals are 8-4 this season and are coming off a 112-35 victory over Anderson University on Dec. 19. Ball State features a lineup with five double-digit scorers, led by Ali Becki (13.3) and Alex Richard (12.3). BSU ranks third in the MAC in scoring (73.4) and defense (60.8).

SERIES HISTORY: This will be the 74th meeting between the two schools, with Miami holding a 40-33 series advantage. Ball State has won the last seven meetings and 14 of the last 15, dating back to the 2012-13 season. Miami's last win over BSU in Millett Hall was Jan. 19, 2019.

CHRISTMAS CLASSIC RECAP: Miami went 2-0 back on Dec. 20-21 at the Christmas Classic, capturing wins over George Washington (74-49) and Florida International (62-55). Miami trailed for just 32 seconds (Down 3-2 vs. GW) the entire weekend and connected on 20-of-43 three pointers (46.5%).

BEEN A WHILE: The last time Miami won seven of its first 10 games was back in 2018-19, when the RedHawks opened the year 8-2. Last year, the RedHawks finished the season 9-20 and didn't pick up their seventh win of the year until Feb. 17.

FORCING THE ISSUE: Miami has forced 239 turnovers this season, tops in the conference. The RedHawks are 5-2 on the year when they force their opponent into 20-plus turnovers.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: Miami is averaging 68.8 points this season after averaging 53.9 points last year. Helping with the offensive improvement have been three point shooting, assists and rebounds. This season Miami is connecting on 8.0 three's per game (4.9 in 2023-24) and are outrebounding their opponents by 4.2 boards/game (-3.8 in 2023-24). Miami is also averaging 14.8 assists per game, compared to 11.6 last season. 

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN: Coach Box added seven new faces to the 2024-25 season and their impact was felt immediately. Five of Miami's top six scorers are newcomers this season and five of the top seven rebounders were on a different team a year ago. Freshman Tamar Singer, sophomore Enjulina Gonzalez and senior Maya Chandler, three new additions, have 84 of Miami's 148 assists this season.

1,000 POINT CLUB: Maya Chandler has scored 1,097 career points between three different programs. She has scored 71 points with the RedHawks, had 149 points in one season at SMU and in three years at Loyola-Chicago she scored 877 points and was named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 2020-21. She has played in 127 games throughout her career, making 107 starts.

IN THE MAC: Miami has a handful of players at or near the top of several statistical categories.
• Enjulina Gonzalez (16.3) ranks fourth in the MAC in scoring, while Amber Tretter (11.0) is 22nd. Tretter is also seventh in rebounding (7.5), fifth in blocks (1.0) and second in field goal percentage (54.4%).
• Tamar Singer ranks seventh in the MAC in assists (3.7).
• Miami, who leads the MAC in steals/game (13.3), has five players in the top-21: Tamar Singer (2.2, 5th), Amber Tretter (1.8, 10th), Núria Jurjo (1.8, 10th), Maya Chandler (1.4, 16th) and Enjulina Gonzalez (1.2, 21st).
• No RedHawks rank in the top-25 in minutes played.
• Miami's defense ranks second in the MAC (55.8) and field goal percentage defense is fourth (38.5%). 

HANGING AROUND: Senior Katey Richason, along with Clare Chambers, are the lone remaining players prior to Coach Box's arrival. Richason has made the most of the change in leadership. Last season the Zionsville, Ind. native recorded career-bests in points (8.7), rebounds (5.7) and free throws made (34).