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March 12, 2003
In arguably its most impressive outing this season, Miami University's women's basketball team did all of the little things well, knocking off seventh-seeded Eastern Michigan University, 80-66, in the Mid-American Conference Quarterfinals and advancing to its third consecutive MAC Semifinal.
Paced by senior forward Jana Butler, who netted a career-high 21 points, Miami seized the lead midway through the first half and never relinquished it, improving its record to 17-11 and advancing to face Ball State University at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the MAC Semifinals. Miami set a program-record by draining 23-of-24 (.958) free throw attempts while also establishing a season-low with just seven turnovers.
Though Miami controlled the majority of the contest, the momentum started in Eastern Michigan's favor. The RedHawks misfired on their first seven shots from the field and found themselves staring down a 10-3 deficit by the time Butler finally connected on Miami's first field goal more than five minutes into the game. EMU followed up Butler's bucket with a 3-pointer and led by a game-high 13-5 edge with 14:06.
That was as big the Eagles' lead would grow, as Miami, which knocked down its next four shots, responded with a 9-2 run. Kim Lancaster gave Miami its first lead, 16-15, with a bucket at 9:52 and, after another 8-0 run, the RedHawks' edge had grown to 26-20. Miami's first-half advantage grew to as many as 11 points when Kim Smith knocked down a shot with five seconds remaining, but EMU's Dru Bishop drained a trey at the buzzer to close the halftime margin to 34-26.
Sparked by the return of second-team all-MAC honoree Ryan Coleman, who was in foul trouble in the first half, EMU found its offensive rhythm to start the second half. Miami's offense was able to match the Eagles blow for blow, however, and the Eagles could get no closer than 38-42. The RedHawks embarked on an important 12-2 run from there, capped by a Beth Roederer three-point play at 13:01 and led 54-40.
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EMU used its long-range attack to claw back into the game, draining back-to-back treys and, after again exchaning runs with the RedHawks, closed to 69-63 with less than two minutes to play. Coleman fouled out at 5:18, however, and the Eagles momentum went with her. Over the next four minutes, Miami embarked on a backbreaking 11-0 run, sparked by a Heather Cusick 3-pointer, that pushed its lead as high as 17 points.
The win marked Miami's seventh in the last eight games, and the RedHawks' third consecutive MAC Quarterfinal win. Head Coach Maria Fantanrosa continued a string of four consecutive seasons in which her program has won at least one MAC Tournament game.
 Heather Cusick shoots over Eastern Michigan's Ryan Coleman (23) during the second half of Miami's 80-66 win in their MAC Quarterfinal matchup. |
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Pacing Miami's attack was Butler, who netted a career-best nine-of-nine free throws and also grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds. Also scoring in double digits were Melanie Kozlowski, who tallied 11, and Roederer and Cindi Merrill, who each poured in 10. First-team all-MAC selection Cusick was restricted to just seven points, matching her lowest point output ever in a MAC Tournament game, but grabbed six rebounds and dished four assists while directing Miami's offense, which shots 47 percent from the field. Sophomore Nicki Motto contributed a game-high five assists in her MAC postseason debut.
Eastern Michigan, which ended its season at 13-16, was paced by Abby Wiseman, who poured in 19 points, including 11-of-11 free throws, in her career finale. The Eagles committed 18 turnovers to Miami's seven, resulting in a 21-5 Miami edge in points off turnovers.
The second-seeded RedHawks clash with the third-seeded Ball State Cardinals and 2003 MAC Player of the Year Tamara Bowie for the second time on Friday. In the teams' last meeting, Miami dropped a 97-94 overtime decision to BSU in Muncie, Ind. Ball State is aiming for its second straight MAC Championship appearance, while Miami is looking for its first since 1995.
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