Recap: Women’s basketball falters in fourth quarter for third conference loss

The Miami University RedHawks women’s basketball team (10-6, 3-3 in conference play) fell 59-51 to the University of Buffalo Bulls (15-2, 4-2 in conference play) this afternoon.

The RedHawks outscored the Bulls for three quarters, but a 20-5 run allowed Buffalo to rally for a fourth-quarter comeback.

Sophomore guard Enjulina Gonzalez and senior guard Cori Lard combined for 13 points in the first quarter to give Miami a 18-11 lead. The RedHawks added onto their lead in the second quarter, including two 3-pointers from Gonzalez, and they exited the first half up 32-22.

Despite their deficit, the Bulls stayed in the game thanks to sophomore guard Kirsten Lewis-Williams, who scored 20 points after three quarters. Fifth-year guard Noelani Cornfield followed with eight points to keep Buffalo within 10 points of tying.

First-year forward Ilse de Vries made two 3-pointers in the third quarter, and the RedHawks combined for 14 points to begin the final 10 minutes of play up 46-39.

However, after Maya Chandler added five points early in the fourth quarter, the RedHawks didn’t score for the final seven minutes.

Lewis-Williams and Cornfield scored nine points, and a free throw from Lewis-Williams tied the game 51-51 with four minutes left.

Miami missed nine shots, eight of which from behind the arc, and couldn’t impact the scoreboard further. Meanwhile, Buffalo took the lead with two free throws from Lewis-Williams.

Cornfield made three more free throws, and fifth-year guard Chellia Watson sank a 3-pointer to give the Bulls a 59-51 victory.

Gonzalez finished with 16 points, her 11th game in a row with double-digit points. Chandler followed with 12 points, and Lard scored a season-high eight points.

The RedHawks dropped to sixth in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), while Buffalo rose to second behind the Ball State University Cardinals (14-4, 6-0 in conference play).

Miami returns to Millett Hall on Jan. 22 for a night matchup against the University of Akron Zips (9-9, 3-3 in conference play).