Established 1826 — Oldest College Newspaper West of the Alleghenies

RedHawks still searching for first MAC win

Freshman guard Ana Richter looks to dish the ball during Miami's 72-55 loss to Ball State University. Richter is averaging 6.6 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Photo by Angelo Gelfuso

By Daniel Taylor, For The Miami Student

The Miami University women's basketball team dropped their eighth consecutive game Wednesday night, this time losing to the Ball State University Cardinals 72-55.

The game was a near replay of last Saturday's effort. Miami (3-16, 0-8 Mid-American Conference) played another lackluster first period. They scored 17 points, shooting 4-24 (16.7 percent) from the field.

"We can't have halves where we're going 4-24," Wright said. "Our team wants to be consistent. I see it everyday in practice."

Ball State (10-9, 6-2 MAC) was able to dominate the first half behind great shooting. They were 16-31 from the field, including 6-11 from beyond the arc.

Going into the locker room the Cardinals led by 27 points, 44-17.

Junior Hannah McCue was the leader going into the break for Miami, despite missing all six of her shot attempts. Her damage all came by way of free throws, where she went 7-8 from the line in the first half.

Nine of Miami's 17 first half points came from the line.

The second half was a complete turnaround for the RedHawks. They put up 38 points and had a much better time from the field, shooting 52 percent.

On defense, Miami held the Cardinals to only 28 points and limited them to 35 percent from the field.

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

But, it was too little, too late once again.

The biggest problem in both games against Ball State has been turnovers. After a season worst 31 turnovers in the first matchup, Miami followed it up with 22 in Wednesday night's game.

"They do a great job of getting in passing lanes," Wright said. "If they make you hesitate, it makes it even easier for them to run through passes."

The Cardinals turned the 22 turnovers into 22 points.

Freshman guard Baleigh Reid led the team in scoring with 14 points on the night.

Despite the long losing skid, Reid and Wright both remain optimistic looking forward.

"We're just trying to get better everyday," Reid said.

Immediately after the post-game press conference Reid went back to the court to work on free throws; she went 6-10 at the stripe during the game.

"I'll continue to encourage them to keep their heads up," Wright said. "That is the way you respond."

Next up for the RedHawks is Western Michigan University (13-6, 6-2 MAC). Coming off a matchup with the MAC West leading Cardinals, Miami now get the team right behind Ball State in the standings.

It is the lone game this season against the Broncos. Last season, the 'Hawks fell 88-78 at home and 86-75 in overtime.

The Broncos will throw a heavy dose of Miracle Woods out against the RedHawks. The junior forward leads the Broncos averaging 13.6 points per game and adds 23 blocks to her stat line. She's the only member of the team in double digit blocks.

Western Michigan defeated University of Michigan Wednesday evening, 83-56.

Tip is schedule for 1 p.m. Saturday at Millett Hall. The game will be broadcast on redhawkradio.com.