Preview: Women’s basketball pursues sixth-straight win against No. 2 Bulls

The Miami University RedHawks women’s basketball team (16-8, 8-5 in conference play) will look for its sixth-consecutive victory with a matchup against the University of Buffalo Bulls (21-4, 10-3 in conference play) at 1 p.m. on Feb. 22.

Miami’s return home to Millett Hall not only provides an opportunity to continue its winning streak, but the RedHawks also have a chance to make up for their late-game slip in their first matchup against the Bulls.

On Jan. 18, the RedHawks held a 46-39 advantage going into the fourth quarter against the Bulls. However, Miami only scored five points to Buffalo’s 20 in the final 10 minutes, leading to the RedHawks’ demise 59-51.

Miami lost two more games in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play following that matchup. However, the RedHawks embarked on their best run of games under head coach Glenn Box with a win against the Ohio University Bobcats on Feb. 1.

Since conference play began, the RedHawks have relied on two transfer players to lead the scoring.

Sophomore guard Enjulina Gonzalez spent two seasons with Mercer University before joining the Red and White. She averages 17.0 points per game so far this season, the most on the roster and the third-most in the conference.

Gonzalez is joined by graduate student guard Maya Chandler, who arrived in Oxford from South Methodist University. Chandler averages 13.2 points per game and shoots 38.6% from a distance against MAC opponents.

Four RedHawks scored in the double-figures in their recent matchup against the University of Akron Zips on Feb. 19. Chandler led the team with 17 points, closely followed by Gonzalez (16), sophomore forward Amber Tretter (15) and senior forward Katey Richason (12).

While the RedHawks handled Akron, Buffalo earned its 10th conference victory with a 76-70 win over the Kent State University Golden Flashes.

The Bulls trailed by nine points after 10 minutes, but they rallied before the end of the half to close the gap to 36-35. Despite widening their advantage again in the third quarter, the Golden Flashes let Buffalo outscore them 24-13 in the fourth quarter to take its victory.

Buffalo looks to its primary offensive threat and the MAC’s leading scorer, fifth-year guard Chellia Watson. She averages 20.6 points per game and leads the roster with 193 field goals.

Watson and senior guard Terah Harness represent a large threat from a distance. The latter holds the No. 10 spot in the MAC with 41 3-pointers, while Watson follows with 33.

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The Bulls lead the conference with a .454 field goal percentage, but they match their offensive strength on the other side of the court. Buffalo allows opponents to shoot .375 on field goals, the lowest in the MAC.

Miami enters this rematch at No. 4 in the conference, two spots under the Bulls. However, with their experience since the first matchup, the RedHawks can prove their worth against a top-ranked opponent as they take one step closer to the MAC tournament.

Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Millett Hall. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

@thekethan04

babukc2@miamioh.edu