MU women put up tough fight in Battle of Miamis

RedHawks hold University of Miami scoreless for nearly 7 minutes to start 2nd half, but can’t hang on.

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By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer Updated 6:20 PM Monday, January 4, 2010

OXFORD — The Battle of the Miamis was historic and beneficial, even for the losers.

The first-ever women’s basketball meeting of Miami University and its Florida namesake, the University of Miami, proved to be a physical war of skills and emotion Sunday afternoon, Jan. 3, at Millett Hall.

The visiting Hurricanes were the better team and emerged with a 75-61 victory, but the RedHawks put up a good fight in their final tuneup before beginning Mid-American Conference play.

“We often get disrespected because we are the ‘other’ Miami,” said MU freshman guard Courtney Osborn, who scored a career-high 29 points. “It would’ve been nice to get a win and prove MAC schools can compete with the big dogs, but we fought hard. I think we brought a little respect to our name.”

Osborn sank 7-of-18 treys, setting a single-game school record for 3-point attempts, but the RedHawks simply didn’t have enough firepower to overcome the Hurricanes’ superior athleticism.

Miami committed 28 turnovers (19 in the first half) and shot 35.8 percent from the field, falling to 2-11.

“We had to play a good game just to be in this game,” RedHawks coach Maria Fantanarosa said. “Am I happy that we lost? No. But taking away from this game, I think we’re a lot better than we were in December.”

Rachael Hencke scored 12 points for the hosts, while Erin Wisner and Ashleigh Brown both grabbed 10 rebounds. Osborn had three boards, three assists and three steals.

Shenise Johnson paced UM (12-2), representing the Atlantic Coast Conference, with 29 points, nine rebounds, six assists and six steals.

“This was not a great performance by us at all, but I don’t want to discredit Miami,” Hurricanes coach Katie Meier said. “They did a great job of being physical with us and stopping us from rebounding. The domino effect was that we didn’t run and didn’t get the points in transition we’re used to.”

The RedHawks led by seven in the first five minutes, yet crumbled a bit against UM’s fullcourt pressure and trailed 41-26 at halftime.

But just when it looked like MU was finished, the RedHawks opened the second half with 11 straight points, holding the Hurricanes scoreless for nearly seven minutes.

The hosts were within four twice (41-37 and 43-39) before UM gradually pulled away.

“I was really proud of the way our team worked together when there was controversy — when they were trapped, when there was a turnover, times like that,” Fantanarosa said. “I liked the way we responded. We actually played hard for 40 minutes.”

MU earned a 47-41 advantage on the boards.

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