After falling to Kent State University and Bowling Green State University in the first two Mid-American Conference (MAC) games of the season, the Miami University women's basketball team responded with two significant victories Wednesday.

The wins came against the University at Buffalo and the University of Akron Zips. The RedHawks' three point shooting led them to a 94-89 victory against the Bulls Wednesday in the "Class at the Court" game, but struggled in the first half Saturday afternoon against the Zips. They fought through the second half down to the very last few seconds of the game to win 68-63.

The RedHawks were on fire Wednesday, taking an early 15-9 lead with three-point shots from junior guard Maggie Boyer. The Red and White continued to increase their lead with three pointers made by sophomore guard Courtney Osborn and layups from junior forward Lillian Pitts.

The 'Hawks kept up the momentum and went into the locker rooms at the half with the lead, 56-41.

Buffalo managed to come within four points late in the second half, but a forced turnover by Osborn clinched the win for Miami. Osborn led the team with 24 points and her sixth double-double of the season. Boyer and Olowinski scored 22 points, and Pitts had a career-high 12 points. Miami had a decent night rebounding, but still dropped to the Bulls 37-35.

"I'm not satisfied with our rebounding, and it's something we need to continue to work on," Head Coach Maria Fantanarosa said. "Our defense and rebounding wasn't great. Our offense really carried us in this game."

Unlike Wednesday's game, it was the defense that led the RedHawks to their second MAC win of the season Saturday afternoon.

"Our defense played great against Akron," Fantanarosa said. "We had great execution on offense, but we just couldn'tmake our shots."

The Red and White had a trying first half against the Zips. Akron took an early 11-3 lead, losing it only once in the first half when Osborn scored eight straight points. Osborn made a huge defensive play at the end of the first half, stopping a three-on-two break and hitting a jump shot that sent the RedHawks into the half 33-28.

The 'Hawks didn't give Akron much of a chance in the second half to increase the gap. The Red and White had an early 10-0 run that gave them a 38-33 lead over the Zips. Three pointers from Osborn and Boyer and hit free throws gave Miami a 13-point lead. The Zips were able to cut the score down to two by the end of the game, but with approximately 20 seconds left junior forward Rachael Hencke hit a five-foot shot, securing a 68-63 win for the RedHawks.

Hencke had four points in the game, Boyer had eight, Pitts had 10, Osborn scored 17 and Olowinski had a career-high 27 points and her seventh double-double of the season. Unfortunately, the Red and White were once again out-rebounded by their opponent.

"We're really focusing on our defense," Olowinski said. "We're working on little things you don't notice right away, like turnovers, rebounding and our communication."

The RedHawks return to their home court Jan. 18 to take on the Ohio University Bobcats.