Miami women’s basketball nearly slips but rallies for overtime victory over Eagles
By: Kethan Babu
(Photos Courtesy of: Will Corey / Miami Athletics)
The Miami University RedHawks women’s basketball team (17-9, 9-6 in conference play) rebounded last night with a 82-72 overtime win over the Eastern Michigan University Eagles (2-24, 1-14 in conference play).
The win punches Miami’s ticket to Cleveland, the RedHawks’ first appearance at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament under second-year head coach Glenn Box.
Miami hit the road again after losing to the University of Buffalo Bulls at Millett Hall on Feb. 22. The RedHawks won five-straight going into their rematch against the Bulls.
A dominant second quarter that saw the RedHawks outscore the Eagles by 20 points allowed them to hold a 39-16 lead at halftime. However, Eastern Michigan stormed back and forced overtime after 49 points to Miami’s 26 in the third and fourth quarters.
Miami ultimately took the victory after Katey Richason scored six points in overtime, including a 3-pointer. The RedHawks handed Eastern Michigan its 14th loss in conference play by 10 points.
Sophomore guard Enjulina Gonzalez led the RedHawks with 20 points, her eighth game of the season with 20 or more points.
Sophomore forward Amber Tretter posted a double-double with 16 points and 17 rebounds. She was followed by Richason with 12 points and first-year guard Tamar Singer with 10 points.
How It Happened
Singer opened the scoring with a free throw 30 seconds into the game. Eastern Michigan’s Sisi Eleko swiftly took the lead with a 3-pointer, but Miami held the advantage after outscoring the Eagles 14-7 after five minutes of play.
Eastern Michigan held the RedHawks to two while adding six points going into the second quarter. However, a dominant 10 minutes of play saw Miami outscore Eastern Michigan 23-3.
The Eagles scored all three of their points in the first minutes of the second quarter. For seven-minutes straight, Miami kept Eastern Michigan from getting the ball through the hoop.
A jump shot from Singer sent the game into half with the RedHawks up by 23 points. For the next two quarters, however, the Eagles slowly crawled their way back to even the score.
Eleko and redshirt junior wing Olivia Westphal combined for five points at the start of the third quarter. The Eagles held Miami to miniscule points, outscoring the RedHawks on multiple runs and cutting their deficit to four points going into the final 10 minutes.
Westphal brought Eastern Michigan within one point of tying 56-55 early in the fourth quarter. Eleko accomplished this job, evening the score 57-57 with a layup.
Graduate student guard Mackenzie Amalia gave Eastern Michigan the lead with a 3-pointer. Now on the other side of the scoreboard, the RedHawks fought back going into the final minute, eventually tying the game 65-65 after Tretter sank a free throw.
Neither team scored with 42 seconds on the clock, sending the game into overtime.
Sophomore guard Núria Jurjo tilted the game back in Miami’s favor with a free throw. Tretter gave the RedHawks a 68-66 lead.
Senior guard Kyndal Lewis briefly gave the Eagles a 71-70 advantage, but after Richason returned it to Miami with a layup, the RedHawks widened their advantage until the final buzzer, taking their win 82-72.
Up Next
The RedHawks remain at fifth place in the MAC and solidified their spot at the conference tournament in Cleveland.
Miami is on the road again this Saturday against the Ohio University Bobcats. The RedHawks conclude their regular season with back-to-back games at Millett Hall against the Central Michigan University Chippewas (March 5) and the Northern Illinois University Huskies (March 8).