Preview: Women’s basketball looks for fifth-straight win with rematch against Akron

The Miami University RedHawks women’s basketball team (15-8, 7-5 in conference play) finishes its three-game road trip tonight at 6 p.m. with a second matchup against the University of Akron Zips (9-16, 3-9 in conference play).

Miami is currently on a four-game winning streak, its best run under head coach Glenn Box.

The RedHawks began their streak with a 72-34 domination over the Ohio University Bobcats. They followed with a 68-45 victory against the Eastern Michigan University Eagles and a 60-59 win in overtime against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.

Their return to Mid-American Conference (MAC) play saw the RedHawks face the Kent State University Golden Flashes for the second time this season. Previously, Kent State outscored Miami 33-26 in the fourth quarter to take the game 77-63.

In the rematch, Miami scored 21 points in the third quarter while keeping the Golden Flashes scoreless for seven minutes. Kent State brought the game back within one possession in the final 20 seconds of the fourth quarter, but crucial free throws from sophomore guard Enjulina Gonzalez and graduate student guard Maya Chandler gave Miami a 64-62 win.

While the RedHawks enter tonight’s matchup as the No. 5 team in the MAC, the outlook for the Zips varies greatly.

Akron’s defeat to the RedHawks on Jan. 22 marked the third loss on an ongoing losing streak. The Zips haven’t won a game since Jan. 11, when they took a 61-56 victory over the Eagles.

In the Zips’ recent matchup against the University of Toledo Rockets, first-year forward Ni’Rah Clark led the team with 16 points, her most of the season. Despite senior guards Zakia Rasheed (11) and Alexus Mobley (10) joining her in the double-figures, the Zips fell 75-54 after allowing Toledo to outscore them 48-27 in the second half.

During the first game between Miami and Akron, four RedHawks scored in the double digits. Gonzalez led the roster with 15 points, closely followed by first-year forward Ilse de Vries with 14, her most of the season.

The RedHawks played one of their best defensive games this season, holding the Zips to three points in the second quarter. The team finished with three blocks and 16 steals, six of which coming from De Vries, and took its win 76-54.

Miami’s final six games of the regular season gives the team a chance to fix its mistakes from earlier losses and prove that the RedHawks can make a deep push in the MAC tournament. A win against Akron would push the RedHawks one step closer to their first postseason appearance under Box.

Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.