By Daniel Taylor, For The Miami Student
The Miami University women's basketball team lost its ninth consecutive game Saturday. Western Michigan University was able to hold onto a tightly contested matchup, winning 61-53.
Miami (3-17, 0-9 Mid-American Conference) head coach Cleve Wright has talked about consistency all season. He finally got some from his squad Saturday. The team was able to score 26 first half points and followed it up with a 27-point half in the second.
"Very pleased with my team's effort," Wright said. "They really played hard the whole time."
The game featured seven ties and 13 lead changes.
However, the effort was not enough to knock of the MAC-West leading Broncos (14-6, 7-2 MAC).
The RedHawks have had a recent spell of bad first halves, digging themselves a deep whole that they cannot climb out of. That was not the case Saturday, as the 'Hawks went into half down by only two, 28-26.
Western Michigan senior A.J. Johnson led the way for the Broncos going 4-4 from beyond the arc in the first. She finished 6 of 11 from the field and 5 of 8 from deep. She tallied 19 points for Western.
The Red and White needed an answer for the shots from Johnson. It came in the form of senior guard Courtney Larson. She went 3 for 3 from deep and 6 for 9 overall. Larson led the team with 16 points.
"I'm just really appreciative of my teammates finding me at the right times," Larson said. "I just feel like I had confidence in myself."
The player to watch coming in was Miracle Woods. The junior was the leading scorer for Western, averaging 14.1 points per game.
She was kept out of sorts by the double team coverage she received in the paint.
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"We did a good job taking her out of her game," Wright said.
Woods came out in the second half and was able to add nine points. She finished with 17 points.
For Miami, this game may have been a glimpse of how good it really can be. Wright said that if a few bounces went their way, the 'Hawks might have been able to win it.
"Our team is playing hard, they're staying positive," Wright said. "That's fun to coach."
Miami was in the game until the very end, and for some of the younger players, it is a good introduction to competitive MAC games.
"This game just builds confidence," Larson said.
Up next for Miami is Northern Illinois University, as the RedHawks are back on the road after a short two-game home stand.
Northern Illinois (8-10, 4-4 MAC) is riding a two-game winning streak after defeating Ball State University Saturday, 65-62.
NIU is just above the basement in the West division and this will be the only meeting of the 'Hawks and Huskies this season.
Last year NIU downed the RedHawks 69-66 in Oxford.
Amanda Corral is the senior leader for NIU, leading the way with 16 points per game. She contributed 26 in the win over Ball State.
The tip is schedule for 8 p.m. Wednesday night.
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