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People's Choice: Red Carpet
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MIAMI 76, KENT STATE 59
Defense leads Miami women
RedHawks force 22 turnovers and pull down 45 rebounds in win over Kent State.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
OXFORD — The Miami women's basketball team likes to play offense as if it's one of those Gags-a-Plenty comedies. If one shot goes awry, it doesn't matter because 10 more will take its place in the next minute or so.
The RedHawks did have a few clunkers Wednesday night at Millett Hall, but once they finally hit their stride, it was Scary Movie 4 all over again.
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"A great win. Any win at this time of year is a great win," Miami coach Maria Fantanarosa said following her team's 76-59 victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes.
The RedHawks (18-10, 10-4 in the Mid-American Conference) shot only 35.0 percent from the floor, but the points still flowed with the help of a defense that helped created 22 turnovers and an inside game which pulled down 45 rebounds.
It all added up to an offense that wasn't always efficient, but kept coming back for more.
"We love an up-tempo game," said Miami senior Laura Markwood, who recorded her seventh double-double of the year. "We love to attack teams on offense, to keep taking it to them."
Markwood, also one of four Miami players to score in double figures, led the RedHawks with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.
Amanda Jackson added 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals, freshman guard Briana Dunlap scored 13 points in her first collegiate start, Jenna Schone had 12 points and Stephanie Ford had 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
Miami drilled seven of its first 12 shots from the 3-point arc and led 36-30 at halftime.
The Flashes (8-18, 5-9 MAC) still were within striking distance after hitting back-to-back 3-pointer to slice Miami's lead to five points, 57-52, with 8:39 left in the second half.
Miami responded with a flurry of offense, outscoring Kent State 19-7 the rest of the way.
The 17-point margin of victory was Miami's largest against KSU since Jan. 30, 2001, when the RedHawks beat the Flashes 88-57 in Oxford.
Still, Miami apparently had not gotten all the kinks out from its previous loss at home against Bowling Green four days earlier.
"We were flat, we didn't have legs (against Bowling Green)," Fantanarosa said. "I think we're still recovering from how we played. Being flat is a combination of being tired and questioning your confidence.
"We're having a great year," she pointed out. "We just haven't put it together for all 28 games. But from where we were in December to where we are now, we've made great strides."
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.
