For just the second year in a row, the Miami RedHawks (9-5, 2-2) defeated BGSU women’s basketball (7-8, 1-3) at Millett Hall in Oxford, this time by a score of 78-63.
With the loss, the Falcons have dropped back-to-back MAC games for the first time this season, and fall to 0-7 away from the Stroh Center.
One of the biggest differences that determined the outcome of the game was Miami’s ability to score 33 points off of Bowling Green’s turnovers, In a game where the Orange and Brown committed 25.
The Falcons shot 44.9%, going 22-49 from the field and shooting 10-24 from three-point range as well. On the other side, the RedHawks were efficient all game long, shooting 55.1% from the floor and 8-15 on three-pointers.
Despite the loss, fifth-year guard Lexi Fleming had a fantastic bounce-back game, leading BG with 23 points, six assists, and three steals.
Right behind Fleming was sophomore guard Paige Kohler, who recorded 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Senior guard Amy Velasco had 11 points, three rebounds, and four assists.
For Miami, the trio of guards Maya Chandler, Enjulina Gonzalez, and forward Amber Tretter combined for 59 points. Chandler led the team with a game-high 25 points on eight for nine-shooting. Gonzalez and Tretter both tallied 17 points each, while Tretter posted a team-high six rebounds.
Senior forward Katey Richason also contributed 10 points off the bench, and freshman guard Tamar Singer put up seven points and a team-high seven assists.
Offensively, both teams started slow, but Miami was able to go on a run in the first quarter, outscoring Bowling Green 17-9. The Orange and Brown shot two for eight, while Miami went seven for 14.
The second quarter was similar to the first, but the Falcons were a bit more efficient from the field but found themselves down by 14 going into halftime. Miami outscored Bowling Green 23-17 in the second and out-rebounded the Falcons eight to five.
Miami continued to control the game in the third quarter, but the Falcons, through a couple of big three-pointers from Fleming found some momentum. The RedHawks outscored BG again, 18-15, but the Orange and Brown headed into the fourth with something to build on, despite being down by 17.
The Falcons cut the lead down to nine in the first three minutes of the final quarter, but turnovers reared their ugly head again for BG, and Miami, as they did all game long, would make their shots in transition and make nine of 10 free-throws.
Bowling Green remain on the road for their next contest, as the Orange and Brown head to Athens on Wednesday, Jan. 15, to take on the Ohio Bobcats (3-11, 1-3). With tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
Falcon Media Sports Network’s Lucas Kleimeyer and Kaden Knapp will have the call on WBGU 88.1 FM starting at 6:45 p.m.
