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RedHawks hope to end losing streak vs. Eastern Michigan

<p>Miami&#x27;s bench celebrates during a 2021 contest vs. Akron.</p>

Miami's bench celebrates during a 2021 contest vs. Akron.

The Miami University women’s basketball team has had a few rough years since the team’s last winning season in 2019. 

This year’s team started out the season with a 4-3 record, but have now fallen to 6-9. Although it’s still not a winning record, the team has already exceeded its win total from last year’s 4-20 squad. 

The fourth win came out of a matchup against Eastern Kentucky. With only two games left before Mid-American Conference (MAC) play began, the ’Hawks were feeling pretty good. 

But following that game the team went on a four game losing streak, including two conference losses to Buffalo and Akron. The RedHawks stepped up their game in the Battle of the Bricks to win against Ohio University, immediately followed by a win against Northern Illinois to put themselves at 2-2 in the MAC. 

Miami tried to stretch its win streak to three games last Saturday against Western Michigan, but came up short after trailing by 20 points in the first half. The team dropped its next contest against Ball State.

Head coach DeUnna Hendrix said part of the reason for the team’s woes is the way her squad starts its games. 

“The biggest thing is trying to figure out why we’re starting games the way we’re starting them,” Hendrix said after Saturday’s loss to Western Michigan. “The last few games have been a slow start, which is pretty frustrating.”

The team hopes to curb its losing streak against Eastern Michigan on Saturday. The Eagles have a record of 1-6 in the MAC and 4-10 overall. Both teams will be fighting to improve their records and get out of their slumps. 

Players to watch

Junior guard Peyton Scott has led Miami’s team for most of the season, averaging 18.0 points per game. She also leads in rebounds, averaging 6.1 per game and has put up double-digit scores in 37 of her last 39 games. 

First-year Ivy Wolf is also averaging over 10 points per game, and sophomore Edyn Battle is not far behind with 9. Wolf also leads the team in 3-pointers with 26 so far this season. 

For the Eagles, senior Areanna Combs leads their team averaging 16.9 points per game, followed by senior Danielle Rainey and sophomore Ce’Nara Skanes averaging 13.6 and 12.0 points respectively. 

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SCOUTING REPORT

The Game

Tipoff: 2 p.m. Saturday at Millett Hall

MIAMI REDHAWKS

Record: 6-10, 2-5 MAC

Offense: 66.9 ppg

Defense: 68.2 ppg

Projected Lineup

Peyton Scott (guard, 5’8’’, 18.3 ppg)

Ivy Wolf (guard, 5’8’’, 9.9 ppg)

Maddi Cluse (guard, 5’10’’, 6.9 ppg)

Katy Richardson (forward, 6’1’’, 48.4 fg%)

Katie Davidson (guard/forward, 5’10’’, 75.0 ft%)

EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES

Record: 4-11, 1-7 MAC

Offense: 69.9 ppg

Defense: 71.1 ppg

Projected Lineup

Danielle Rainey (guard, 5’10’’, 12.8 ppg)

Lachelle Austin (guard, 5’7’’, 5.3 ppg)

Areanna Combs (guard, 5’10’’, 17.9 ppg)

Ce’Nara Skanes (forward, 6’0’’, 12.3 ppg)

Juanita Agosto (guard, 5’6’’, 47.5 fg%)

@baileyalthauser

althaube@miamioh.edu