Nov. 10, 2001

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio-Miami University's women's basketball team concluded its preseason Saturday night, falling to a very solid Ohio Girls Baskeball Magazine (OGMB) Legends team 103-82 in what could be described as a learning experience.

"A lot of the problems we had tonight were with timing and chemistry," Head Coach Maria Fantanarosa said. "It's early in the season, and we just haven't learned how to work together yet. It showed on both ends of the court."

Behind junior point guard Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) and a hot streak from beyond the arc, Miami jumped on the legends early, racing to a 27-13 advantage by the 11:12 mark. Cusick contributed 11 points during Miami's early run, including three 3-point field goals. The RedHawks drained a total of six treys during the run.

Behind the play of Larecha Jones, the Legends, a team of former Ohio-based collegiate players that includes several former and current WNBA players, began to assert themselves, scoring nine unanswered points to close within five points and finishing the half on a 35-9 run. Jones, a 1999 Ohio State graduate, poured in 20 points to lead the Legends to a 48-36 halftime lead. Cusick finished the half with 13 to lead Miami, while Kim Lancaster (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) contributed eight points and six rebounds.

Miami opened the second half on another brief run, closing within five points at 54-49, but it was as close as they would get. The Legends went on a 10-0 run to rebuild their lead and never looked back, maintaining a double-digit lead for most of the half and never letting the RedHawks closer than nine. Miami committed 21 turnovers on the night and were outscored 46-30 in the paint.

Jones led all scorers with 39 points and nine rebounds, as the Legends placed five players in double figures. Cusick headed Miami's offensive effort with 23 points and nine assists, while Lancaster contributed 16 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Colleen Day (Independence, Ohio/Holy Name) also tallied in double figures for Miami, pouring in 12 points off 5-of-7 shooting. Junior Jana Butler (Findlay, Ohio/Liberty-Benton) led all rebounders with 10 boards.

Miami opens the regular season on Friday at the University of Portland before traveling to PAC-10 power the University of Oregon on Sunday.

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