RedHawks fall to NIU on road, 92-73

By Julia Rivera, The Miami Student

The Miami University women's basketball team fell to Northern Illinois University 92-73 Wednesday. The 'Hawks are now 9-13 overall and 3-8 in the MAC conference.

Freshman guard Kendall McCoy made her first start and had a career high of 19 points, which includes three 3-pointers. In 25 minutes of action, she had five rebounds, two steals and an assist.

Northern Illinois started the game with a 7-0 run. McCoy kept the 'Hawks alive with two 3-point buckets to cut the deficit to three with less than 8 minutes remaining in the first quarter.

After a few Miami turnovers, NIU pushed its lead to nine at 17-8. Despite 3-pointers from freshman forward Kristen Levering and freshman point guard Leah Purvis, the Huskies took a 24-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

As the second quarter began, NIU extended the lead, going on a 19-4 run. Sophomore forward Molly McDonagh ended the run with a pair of free throws with 1:24 remaining. A 3-pointer from McCoy and a quick jumper by sophomore guard Ana Ritcher ended the quarter. The 'Hawks trailed 57-29 going into halftime.

"I was disappointed in the first half that we dug such a hole," head coach Cleve Wright said.

MU's defense improved in the second half, only allowing 35 points. The RedHawks started the fourth quarter trailing 89-60 though.

Miami went on 10-0 run, cutting the Huskies' lead to 19. The teams traded a couple of buckets down the stretch, but NIU to finished with the 92-73 victory.

"[I was] very pleased in the second half that we showed character and fought in the final two quarters," Wright said. "I think that shows the character of our team and the toughness of our team."

Sophomore guard Kayla Brown finished with 16 points, and Purvis finished with 13. The RedHawks shot 32.9 percent for the game and went 9-of-26 from behind the arc.

Miami returns home Saturday to host Eastern Michigan for the third annual Love Honor Care game to raise funds for the Luna Cares Foundation. Tip off is set for 2 p.m.