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women's college basketball miami 71, buffalo 68
MU women snap skid
Buffalo's struggles at the free-throw line help RedHawks bring three-game losing streak to an end.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
OXFORD — The Miami University women's basketball team took a step forward and did a number of positive things Wednesday night against visiting Buffalo at Millett Hall.
But it took a Valentine's Day gift from the Bulls to end the RedHawks' three-game losing streak.
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That gift came in the form of some awful free-throw shooting, with Buffalo hitting just 5-of-18 foul shots as MU posted a 71-68 triumph in Mid-American Conference East Division play.
"That's been their biggest weakness," said Miami coach Maria Fantanarosa, admitting she told her RedHawks to foul the Bulls' post players rather than give up close shots. "I felt confident. This is a young team, but we're gaining confidence and trusting each other."
The guard trio of Amanda Jackson, Ashley Hawkins and Jenna Schone combined for 53 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and six steals for MU, which converted 17-of-19 attempts at the charity stripe.
Miami improved to 12-13 overall and 6-6 in the MAC. Buffalo slipped to 8-16, 3-9.
"We just attacked them and stepped up and hit big shots," Jackson said. "We were playing to win. We had confidence in each other."
Rachelle Matthys (18), Kourtney Brown (16) and Heather Turner (11) all scored in double digits for the Bulls. Turner grabbed 11 rebounds and Brown had nine, but the 6-foot forwards sank just 3-of-14 free throws between them.
"Our performance at the foul line was pitiful," Buffalo coach Linda Hill-MacDonald said. "The only thing blocking free throws is a mental piece. We have some players who are afraid to miss, and when you're afraid to miss, you are going to miss.
"We outplayed them except for the foul line," she added. "That's very sad."
Indeed, the Bulls had a much higher field-goal percentage than MU (45.9 to 34.8 percent) and ruled the boards (48-37), but the visitors were stung by their foul shooting and 17 turnovers.
The RedHawks only turned the ball over nine times, just once in the second half. Fantanarosa said that was a credit to Miami's guard play.
"When our three guards are confident, we're very good," the MU coach said. "We got zero contributions from our inside players offensively tonight. As a coach, I've just got to make sure we get the ball to the right people at the end."
The RedHawks trailed by 10 in the first half and led by seven after intermission. Buffalo moved ahead 65-60 with 4:41 remaining, only to watch the hosts reel off nine straight points to grab the lead for good.
Schone made a pair of free throws with 19.8 seconds left to account for the final margin. The Bulls' Stephanie Bennett was off the mark with a 3-point try in the closing seconds.
"I don't think you can think about it," Schone said of her late foul shots. "You just have to be confident and know you're going to make it. There were no negative thoughts going through my mind."
The victory was significant in ending a long streak of MAC frustration for Miami. The RedHawks, 72-59 winners in Buffalo last month, swept a regular-season conference series for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.
"That stat doesn't frighten me," Fantanarosa said of the long period between MAC sweeps. "It encourages me that we still have room to grow together."
Jackson racked up 26 points and six rebounds for MU. Hawkins tallied 17 points and three steals, while Schone had 10 points and four assists.
Miami forward Jaclyn Leininger struggled through a 4-of-19 effort from the field, yet still totaled 11 points and 13 rebounds. Teammate Sarah Hull was perfect on two treys and added seven points.
The RedHawks will travel to Athens on Sunday, facing Ohio at 2 p.m.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.
