Defense helps Miami women snap 10-game losing slide

Photos: Miami vs. Akron

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 1:33 AM Sunday, February 27, 2011

OXFORD — Coach Maria Fantanarosa figured her Miami University women’s basketball players deserved a good day.

Saturday, as it turned out, was a very good day for the RedHawks.

Courtney Osborn scored 26 points, including the 1,000th of her college career, and Miami snapped a 10-game losing streak with a convincing 77-64 victory over the Akron Zips.

The RedHawks, playing their regular-season home finale at Millett Hall, improved to 11-17 overall, 3-12 in the Mid-American Conference.

“I’m glad that the team’s hard work and staying the course finally paid off with a win,” said Fantanarosa, whose squad has endured 10-game losing streaks in each of the last two seasons.

Miami came into the game ranked last in the MAC in scoring defense, but the Zips shot just 37.5 percent against the RedHawks, who came up with 11 steals and four blocked shots.

“I think our defense is getting better,” Fantanarosa said. “It isn’t great, but it’s getting better, and that takes the pressure off our offense so they can attack.”

Osborn reached the 1,000-point mark with 6 minutes, 54 seconds left in the first half when she launched a 3-point shot that barely beat the shot-clock buzzer.

“I don’t know if I can top that one,” she said. “The shot clock was running down and the bench were shouting out.”

Miami held a 38-25 halftime advantage and led by as many as 22 in the second half over the Zips (13-14, 6-9 MAC).

Kirsten Olowinski added 14 points and 12 rebounds, her 12th double-double this season for the RedHawks. Maggie Boyer scored 12 points and Hannah Robertson had seven assists.

“We haven’t given up on the season at all,” Osborn said. “We still believe we can make a run in the MAC tournament.”

Miami plays its final regular-season game on Wednesday at Ohio. The tournament begins with the first round at campus sites next Saturday.

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