After a compelling first half, the Miami University women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought game to the University of Toledo Rockets 76-65 Feb. 5. The Rockets are the leading team in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), and the loss dropped the RedHawks to 2-8 in the MAC and 10-13 overall.

"They're a tough team, they're the best team in the MAC, and they shot the ball really well," said sophomore guard Courtney Osborn, who led the team with 14 points. "For being the best team in the MAC, we hung in there with them and we fought till the last second. That's something we're going to take positively away from this game."

All of the usual starters started the game for the Red and White, except for junior forward Lillian Pitts, who had received a technical call Wednesday night against Central Michigan University (CMU). Freshman guard Hannah Robertson, who had scored 11 points against CMU, took Pitts' place.

The 'Hawks got off to a hot start in the match against the Rockets. The RedHawks went on a 6-0 run early, with field goals by Osborn and junior forward Rachael Hencke and a three pointer by junior guard Maggie Boyer.

With 14:12 left to play, sophomore forward Kirsten Olowinski made a defensive steal and quickly passed it off to Osborn, who produced a three point shot, putting Miami up 13-4.

With the Rockets shooting 58.3 percent from behind the arc, though, Toledo took its first lead of the game, 26-25 with 6:08 left to play. Miami tried to stay close, but the RedHawks left the court at halftime down 39-30.

Frustration could once again be felt on the court as the Rockets took a 10-point lead at the start of the second half.

The young RedHawks just couldn't stop senior forward Melissa Goodall and junior guard Naama Shafir from hitting their shots.

Miami struggled to keep Toledo from running up the score, but with 10:46 left to play, Osborn hit a three-point shot and then added a layup the next time down the court to make it a 57-50 game. With 9:35 to go, Boyer was fouled going for a field goal by senior guard Jessica Williams, Toledo's third leading scorer.

Even with a stung wrist from the foul, Boyer made both her free throws, cutting the gap to five, but that's as close as Toledo would let Miami get.

Under the leadership of Goodall and Shafir, Toledo won it 76-65, leaving Miami with its sixth straight loss.

Head Coach Maria Fantanarosa is encouraged that her team is continuing to improve and will get there.

"I think with a young team and us making progress right now, the most important thing we have to do is continue to focus on the progress and not deny the negatives but continue to fix them," Fantanarosa said. "So, I leave today disappointed that we lost, but encouraged that we're still making positive steps to being a good team."

The RedHawks have a week off, but will be back on the court Saturday, Feb. 12 when they travel to Kalamazoo, Mich. to take on the Western Michigan University Broncos.