Nov. 29, 2002

Final Stats

ATLANTA--Miami University's women's basketball team got off to a big lead early and held off Arkansas State University, 72-67, Friday evening in first-round action at Georgia Tech's Atlanta Marriott Classic. The win advanced the RedHawks to face the host Yellow Jackets in Saturday's title game, while advancing the Red and White to 3-0 for the just the third time in program history and the first time since 1994.

After allowing an 18-point second-half to lead slip away, Miami pulled itself together when it mattered most, getting consecutive 3-point field goals from Cindi Merrill, Colleen Day and Nicole Motto to break a tie ballgame with under eight minutes to play and advance to the championship game of its second consecutive tournament.

Things started off slowly for the RedHawks, who found themselves trailing 8-3 by the 16:31 mark of the first half. Miami gradually closed the margin until a Beth Roederer 3-point field goal put it up 16-14 at 11:03. The Lady Indians, who would never lead again from that point, kept the defensive pressure on and managed to tie the game again at 28-28 with under four minutes to play in the half, but Miami, led by Heather Cusick's 14 first-half points, finished strong, building a 39-30 halftime lead.

Miami roared out of the gates in the second half, pushing its lead to double digits for the first time with a Cusick trey less than 30 seconds into the second half and pressing its advantage to a game-high 52-34 by the 16-minute mark. Arkansas State, powered by its athleticism and tenacious defense, managed to slow Miami's offense over the next nine minutes, outscoring the RedHawks 25-7 and forging 59-59 tie by the 7:55 mark.

Using the 3-point arc, Miami busted out of its offensive funk from there and held a 68-63 advantage after Motto rounded out a string of three straight RedHawk treys with her first bucket of the game at 5:23. Miami's defense rose to the occasion from there, restricting ASU to just five points over the five minutes. Melanie Kozlowski and Day, each hit free throws in the final 30 seconds to put the game out of reach.

Leading Miami was Cusick, who contributed 17 points and five steals. Day added 13 points and eight boards, while Roederer, who contributed a game-high five assists, and Kozlowski each poured in 10 points. On the night, Miami sunk 10-of-24 3-point field goals and made an impressive 17 steals.

The RedHawks return to action at 3 p.m. Saturday when they tangle with the host Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Miami will be aiming to improve to 4-0 for the first time in program history, while also seeking its second straight tournament championship.

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