Recap: Miami women’s basketball swiftly takes win in season-opener

The Miami University RedHawks women’s basketball team entered Millett Hall with determination. After ending the 2023-24 season at 9-20 (6-12 in conference play), the RedHawks came out swinging in the 2024-25 season opener with a 75-48 victory over the Appalachian State University Mountaineers.

Despite the lackluster performance to conclude last season, the RedHawks came out victorious tonight. An entire offseason for development and recruitment allowed head coach Glenn Box to align the team’s vision before the season began.

“Last year was last year,” Box said. “We were dealt a tough hand, but it was a hand that we all signed up for. Looking back, it was probably one of the more challenging things for me personally and our staff. But I think we grew a lot from it.”

The RedHawks ensured their victory within the first 10 minutes of play. After one quarter, Miami held a 23-4 lead while holding the Mountaineers to 2-13 inside the arc. Sophomore guard Enjulina Gonzalez started the scoring with a layup three minutes in. Gonzalez finished the quarter with seven points, including one three-pointer, for her first points as a RedHawk.

Senior guard Mara Neira scored three for Appalachian State in the first minute of the second quarter, but Miami kept the Mountaineers at bay through the remainder of the first half. Sophomore forward Amber Tretter contributed seven points.

Senior guard Asjah Inniss stole the ball for an uncontested layup with two minutes left in the half. She scored a three-pointer 30 seconds later to bring the score to 34-19. Neira scored her second three of the night with two seconds on the clock.

The RedHawks entered the second half up 34-22. Despite letting the Mountaineers outscore them 18-11 and turn the ball over more in the second quarter, the RedHawks capitalized more on their defense, scoring 14 off turnovers.

Miami began the third quarter with a 7-4 run, including a three-pointer from Tretter. Graduate student guard Maya Chandler added another three with her first points from behind the arc.

Sophomore guard Lakresha Edwards took her first minutes on the court and immediately scored three with four minutes left in the third quarter. She found the ball again one minute later to add another three.

Edwards’ six points and a 7-5 run gave Miami its largest lead of the game, 63-31, at the end of the third quarter.

A 13-5 run for the Mountaineers brought the score within 24 points, but with three minutes left, the RedHawks just needed a few more defensive stops to earn their first victory of the season.

When the clock ran out, Miami took its first win of the season 75-48.

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Tretter led Miami with 13 points and nine rebounds. Gonzalez followed closely with 12 points, and De Vries posted 10 points.

Several players contributed heavily in their first game as a RedHawk. Chandler, Gonzalez and Camille Jackson transferred in the offseason, while Singer and De Vries played their first collegiate basketball games.

Tretter said she believes the new faces on the court showed out against the Mountaineers, and fans can expect a lot from the new RedHawks roster this season.

“This one felt a lot better,” Tretter said. “I think we are further than where we were last year, which has definitely helped. This is just the start, but I think it was a great way to start the season off.”

For Box, tonight and this season as a whole provides a chance to show the world what Miami basketball represents.

“It’s tough around here, and there’s no shame in that,” Box said. “We tell recruits that this is not cupcake city. If you want to play [at] a high level, [if] you want to learn a lot, you come to Miami.”

Miami faces its first road test on Nov. 10 against the Xavier University Musketeers.

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