Dec. 5, 2001

Stats

OXFORD, Ohio-Led by five players in double figures, Miami women's basketball team ended a five-game drought versus the University of Kentucky and won its fourth consecutive game, defeating the Wildcats 73-64 Wednesday night in Millett Hall.

In a back and forth first half, Miami held a narrow lead for much of the early going and pressed that lead as high as 21-14 at 10:16 with a Jana Butler (Findlay, Ohio/Liberty-Benton) bucket. Following a 30-second timeout, Kentucky regrouped and outscored Miami 11-2 over the next seven minutes to claim a 25-23 advantage.

Miami temporarily regained the lead with a Colleen Day (Independence, Ohio/Holy Name) 3-point basket, but the Wildcats scored the last four points of the half to stake a 31-28 halftime advantage. Miami was led by Day's 10 points and six rebounds during the half, while SeSe Helm paced Kentucky with eight points.

The RedHawks came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 17-4 out of the gates and staking a 45-35 advantage by 13:53. Once again, a timeout proved to be the answer for UK, which turned up the intensity level on the defensive end and trimmed Miami's lead to four over the next six minutes.

With the Wildcats appearing to be in firm control of the momentum, Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) answered the call for Miami, burying a 3-point field goal and two free throws to breathe new life into the RedHawks, who pressed their advantage to 11 points by the eight-minute mark.

Kentucky kept the pressure on, rallying within five with less than 15 seconds to play, but Miami hit four free throws in the last 12 seconds to clinch its first win versus the Wildcats since 1995.

Pacing Miami were five players in double figures, led by Cusick's 16 points and eight assists. Day tallied 15 points and eight rebounds, while Beth Roederer (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) added 13, Kim Lancaster (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) poured in 11 and Butler added 10.

Miami returns to action Saturday when it travels to Atlantic Coast Conference power Clemson University for a 4 p.m. tip. The RedHawks are off the following week for finals and return to Millett Hall on Dec. 15 to face the University of Detroit-Mercy at 2 p.m.

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