miami women’s basketball

Olowinski strong in debut as RedHawks down Tiffin

Freshman forward has 20 points, 13 rebounds in Miami’s exhibition victory.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 12:39 AM Monday, November 9, 2009

OXFORD — Kirsten Olowinski played in her first college basketball game on Sunday, Oct. 8. She practically had a double-double before halftime and she did it while playing in a kind of opposite universe.

The Miami University freshman totaled 20 points, 13 rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals as the RedHawks won their only exhibition game of this preseason 75-54 over Tiffin at Millett Hall.

Olowinski, a 6-foot-1 forward from Erie, Pa., nailed 9-of-11 field goal attempts while playing a classic post-up, back-to-the-basket style of offense.

But that’s not the style of Olowinski, who according to Miami coach Maria Fantanarosa “is a facing-the-basket player” who changed the nature of her game because of injuries to RedHawk post players.

“I like to face the basket. I like to get to the hole any way possible and (draw) as many fouls as possible,” Olowinski said.

Miami has more than one keeper in this freshman class. Point guard Courtney Osborn, of Fishers, Ind., finished with 12 points, nine assists and only one turnover.

“It’s a great recruiting class,” Fantanarosa said. “There has been no doubt from the first day of practice that they’re all going to contribute.”

Another rookie, 6-1 forward Kristin Judson, of Bloomington, Ill., is sidelined with a foot injury and probably will miss the Iona Tipoff Tournament in New Rochelle, N.Y.

The RedHawks open their regular season against Bucknell at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 in the Tipoff, which will conclude the following day with Miami facing Iona or Arizona.

Five RedHawks scored in double figures against Tiffin. Sophomore Rachael Hencke had 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, senior Ashleigh Brown had 13 points and seven rebounds and senior Courtney Reed added 12 points and eight rebounds.

Two other injured RedHawks player who did not play were sophomores Maggie Boyer (ankle) and Erin Wisner (back). Fantanarosa said both should be ready for the Iona tourney.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or

pconrad@coxohio.com.

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