Late comeback from Central Michigan leaves Miami with another loss

Relentless.

That is the only way to describe tonight’s effort from the Miami women’s basketball team.

Regardless of the score, the RedHawks fought hard against the Central Michigan Chippewas.

Redshirt senior forward Abbey Hoff scored the team’s first points of the game. However, the Chippewas quickly took an early lead.

The RedHawks did not let up, responding to every Central Michigan basket.

Freshman guard Katie Davidson made her second 3-pointer of the night to tie the score at 19 with 8:57 left in the second quarter. Seconds later, senior forward Kelly McLaughlin scored an uncontested layup to give Miami the lead.

Late in the second quarter, redshirt sophomore forward Tihanna Fulton injured her knee, which took her out for the rest of the game. Despite losing a starter, the RedHawks ended the first half in the lead, 39-33.

The Chippewas started the third quarter strong and scored the first four points, cutting Miami’s lead to 39-37. Still, the RedHawks continued to dominate, closing out the period with a 60-47 lead.

For three quarters, Miami held the lead. Ultimately, it was foul trouble and rebounding that hurt the RedHawks in the fourth quarter, and allowed Central Michigan to take the lead with 3:08 left in the game.

Miami committed 10 fouls in the fourth quarter, and was also outrebounded by the Chippewas 14-7 in the period.

Despite last second points by sophomore guard Peyton Scott and Davidson, the Redhawks ended the game with an 81-78 loss.

“Experience is a teacher,” coach DeUnna Hendrix. “Central Michigan will do what they do best, but we continue to get better and continue to grow.”

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Scott ended the game with 31 points, making her the first RedHawk to have three straight games with 30 or more points. She also finished with seven rebounds and three steals.

McLaughlin and Davidson were the only other Miami players to score in double digits, finishing with 20 and 13 points, respectively.

Although the RedHawks did not finish with a win, the result doesn’t show how hard the team fought this game. The loss drops Miami to 2-16 overall and 1-13 in conference play.

Up next, the team hosts Ball State on Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will be played at Millett Hall and broadcast on ESPN+.

knoxj@miamioh.edu