DaytonDailyNews.com

The Miami RedHawk women split a pair of games against MAC opponents last week, defeating the Buffalo Bulls 71-68 on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Millett Hall and then losing to the Ohio Bobcats 87-74 on Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Convocation Center in Athens.

Although the game took place on Valentine's Day, there was no love between the RedHawks (12-13, 6-6 MAC) and Bulls (8-16, 3-9 MAC) in a physical game that was ultimately decided at the free throw line.

Buffalo shot an abysmal 28 percent from the charity stripe, including a 2-10 effort in the second half, while Miami converted 90 percent of their freebies.

Sophomore guard Jenna Schone capped off a perfect 10-10 second half at the free throw line for the RedHawks by sinking two clutch foul shots with 19 seconds left to give Miami a three-point lead and put the game on ice.

"I don't even think about it," Schone said of the pressure to make free throws down the stretch in a close game. "You just have to be confident and know that you're going to make it."

Amanda Jackson led the charge for the RedHawks, scoring a game-high 26 points and adding six rebounds while Jaclyn Leininger tallied her third double-double in four games, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Ashley Hawkins (17 points) also played well for Miami.

Buffalo controlled the first half, leading by as many as 10 and taking a 37-29 lead into the intermission.

But something sparked the RedHawks in the locker room and they came out hot in the second half, going on a 16-1 run and denying Buffalo a fieldgoal for the first 5:56 of the half.

"We always try to fire each other up at halftime because the first five minutes of the second half is one of the most important parts of the game," Schone said. "It can mean momentum for you or the other team so I think it was huge for us to come out fired up and get ourselves back in the game."

It was the Ohio University Bobcats (15-10, 8-5 MAC) who were on fire Sunday, however, using 58 percent shooting to beat the RedHawks 87-74.

The Bobcats led by as many as 30 at the start of the second half, and despite Miami's best efforts, the RedHawks never recovered.

Jackson again led the RedHawks with 21 points and four steals. Schone added 19 points and Hawkins scored 12 for Miami.

The Bobcats had five players in double figures and dominated the inside game, outscoring Miami 44-24 in the paint.

The RedHawks will play their final home game at noon tomorrow against the Kent State Golden Flashes (13-11, 9-4 MAC). Miami will be looking to avenge an earlier loss to Kent, who defeated the RedHawks 83-76 back on Jan. 13.

The game will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio.