Jan. 13, 2010
Final Stats
OXFORD, Ohio - Facing a huge first-half deficit, Ohio battled back with a strong second-half surge, but the Bobcats came up just short, falling 66-58 to Miami Wednesday night in Millett Hall.
Three Ohio players scored in double figures, led by Jenny Poff's (St. John's, Mich.) 14, including 12 in the second half to go with four rebounds and four assists. Ashley Fowler (Cincinnati, Ohio) added 13, while Carolyn Barnett (North Chicago, Ill.) chipped in 10 off the bench. Kamille Buckner (Chicago, Ill.) tallied seven points to go with a team-high seven rebounds, three blocks and three steals.
The `Cats (4-12, 0-3 MAC) shot 40 percent from the field in the second half to finish at a 36 percent clip on the night. Turnovers bit the Green and White once again as the RedHawks (4-12, 2-1 MAC) took advantage of 22 Ohio turnovers with 24 points off those miscues.
Miami came out hot and hit four of its first five shots to take an early 9-2 lead. Fowler then knocked down a pair of treys to cut the lead to 9-8 with 13:38 left in the half. The RedHawks' hot shooting continued, while the `Cats battled some extremely unkind rims over the next several minutes. Miami led 25-8 with 3:44 left.
Bushby broke Miami's run with a jumper with 3:06 left in the half. Ohio would not go away and battled back with a run of its own at the end of the first half to cut the lead to 31-19 going into the lockerroom.
The `Cats finished the half shooting 31 percent from the field, while Miami cooled slightly to finish the half at a 47 percent clip. The RedHawks took advantage of costly Ohio turnovers with 14 points off Green and White miscues. Miami controlled the backboards in the first stanza, outrebounding the `Cats 19-12.
Buckner sparked an Ohio surge with six points coming out of the half to help the `Cats early in the second stanza. The RedHawks were up to the task, however, as they held a 39-28 lead with 15:56 left.
Action continued to be intense with both squads exchanging blows. Miami still held a 46-35 lead with 11:27 left. A Barnett steal and score cut the lead to 53-43, but the RedHawks would not relinquish their advantage and led 57-45 with 6:05 left.
A Jennifer Bushby (Gahanna, Ohio) layin off a fastbreak cut the lead to 57-47 with 5:52 left. Poff knocked down a pair of free throws to pull the `Cats to within eight with just under five minutes left. Poff converted two more freebies to pull Ohio to within six with 4:00 left.
The Green and White continued to fight, but Miami would not allow the `Cats to get any closer than six the rest of the way. The RedHawks took the 66-58 win.
Ashleigh Brown led Miami with 17 points, while Courtney Osborn added 16.
The Green and White will stay on the road for its next contest as it heads to Buffalo to take on the Bulls Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at the Alumni Arena.
