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Jan. 25, 2002
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
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MIAMI TRAVELS TO KENT STATE FOR CRITICAL DIVISIONAL CONTEST: In the midst of just its second losing skid of the season, Miami University's women's basketball team (11-7, 5-2 MAC) limps to Kent State University (9-9, 5-2 MAC) Saturday for a key battle that will decide the MAC's East Division leader.
Miami, which knocked off the Golden Flashes, 72-67, just 11 days ago, faces immense odds as it attempts to win at the M.A.C. Center for the first time since 1993. Kent State, which has won its last two since falling to Miami on Jan. 15, has not lost to a MAC East foe on its home floor since divisional play started and has defeated 54 of its last 55 MAC opponents in the M.A.C. Center. In the RedHawks' favor is a 12-game regular-season winning streak versus the MAC's East Division that would be one-year old on Jan. 27. Miami's last MAC East loss came at the M.A.C Center on Jan. 17 of last season.
Coached by Bob Lindsay, the MAC's all-time winningest coach, Kent State has enjoyed success despite a depleted lineup. With only seven players taking the floor over the past four games, the Golden Flashes have won three of four games while easing into a tie for the MAC East lead. Leading Kent State is senior guard Kate Miller, who is tallying 16.4 points per game while shooting 46 percent from beyond the arc in seven MAC games. Juniors Katalin Kollat and Valerie Zona also have been valuable in league play, averaging 12.7 and 12.0 points per game, respectively.
A LOOK AT THE SERIES: In what has evolved into a back-and-forth series over the past three seasons, Kent State holds a 30-26 series edge. Miami ended a five-game losing skid to the Golden Flashes two years ago with a home win and has gone 3-3 versus Kent State since. The Flashes have dominated the series at the M.A.C. Center, going 16-6 all-time and winning their last eight home games versus the RedHawks.
THE LAST MEETING: Miami endured a late Kent State rally and earned a key divisional win on Jan. 15 in Millett Hall, defeating the Golden Flashes 72-67. Miami led by as many as 13 points midway through the second half, but Kent State kept the pressure on and had a chance to take the lead on a Kate Miller jumper with less than a minute to play. The shot was off, and Miami's Heather Cusick and Beth Roederer each drained two free throws to put the game out of reach. The win moved Miami to 5-0 in the MAC for the first time since 1990. The RedHawks, who shot 50 percent from the floor, were led by Cusick's 21 points. Kent State shot an impressive 62 percent from the floor but committed 27 turnovers.
ROADHAWKS: Miami, which is playing 15 of its 27 overall games and seven of its 11 non-conference games on the road this season, has forged a 5-5 record outside of Millett Hall this season. The RedHawks are in search of their first winning road record since they went 8-6 during the 1992-93 season. Over the past eight seasons, Miami has reached .500 on the road just twice while posting a 47-62 (.431) record. Last season, Miami went 6-7 when playing in hostile surroundings. In MAC action, Miami has posted a 12-15 road record during head coach Maria Fantanarosa's tenure.
A TALE OF TWO DIVISIONS: Now in her fourth season in the Mid-American Conference, Miami head coach Maria Fantanarosa is steadily improving upon a 31-24 (.564) overall league record. Miami has risen to the occasion when it's come to divisional play over the past four seasons, posting an impressive 24-9 (.727) record. Overall, Miami has turned away 12 consecutive MAC East foes in the regular season, while winning 13 of its last 14 divisional home games.
Despite their success versus the East, Fantanarosa's RedHawks have not fared as well when heading West. Miami has gone just 7-15 (.318) versus the MAC West over the past four seasons and has lost nine consecutive road games to MAC West foes. Fantanarosa is still in search of her first coaching wins versus MAC West rivals Eastern Michigan and Toledo.
LOOKING BACK: Miami lost consecutive games for just the second time this season, faltering at home versus Northern Illinois, 74-61, and on the road to Eastern Michigan, 71-67. Previously, Miami had won five consecutive games while assuming a two-game lead in the MAC East. Complete recaps and boxscores of these and all Miami games can be found on pages 12-17.
HEAD COACH MARIA FANTANAROSA: A former standout on the court for the Red and White, Maria Fantanarosa is in her fourth season of working the sidelines for the Miami women's basketball program.
Since taking over a team that had no freshman class in 1998, she has guided the team to consecutive MAC Tournament appearances and back-to-back MAC East Division runner-up finishes. Fantanarosa also has brought in and mentored back-to-back selections to the MAC all-freshmen team for only the second time in program history while helping four players to all-MAC accolades. A 1990 graduate of Miami, Fantanarosa was a two-time all-MAC honoree for the Red and White. Following her graduation, she went on to serve as an assistant women's basketball coach for Xavier (1990-94) and South Carolina (1994-97) before serving a one-year stint as head coach at Western Carolina (1997-98).
One of the most prolific scorers in high school girls basketball history, Fantanarosa's 3,823 career points while at Mt. Carmel Area High School in Kulpmont, Pa., rank among the all-time Top 10 nationally. Fantanarosa ranks ninth in career scoring at Miami, but leads 10th-place and rapidly approaching Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) by just eight points entering Saturday's game.
'HAWKS ON THE TUBE: Miami makes its 2001-02 Fox Sports Ohio television debut this Saturday when it faces Kent State University in a key MAC East Division outing. Calling the game are veteran play-by-play caller Bill Needle along with color analyst and head coach of the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers Dan Hughes.
'HAWKS ON THE RADIO: For the first time in program history, fans of Miami women's basketball can follow the Red and White live on the World Wide Web. In a deal with Yahoo! Sports, all 27 regular-season games along with any postseason action will be carried live over the internet. WMOH, Miami's flagship station, will air 16 of the games throughout the year. Calling the games are veteran Miami commentators Bob Rotruck and Bill Douglas. The live internet broadcast can be accessed by going to the schedule page on Miami's official website-www. MURedHawks.com.
BRINGING BACK THE THREE: After hitting a meager 17 of its first 68 (.250) 3-point attempts through the first four games of the season, the long ball has come back into style for Miami. Over the past 12 games, the Red and White has drained 85-of-207 (.411) 3-point bombs while pulling into third in the league in 3-point shooting percentage (.371). Paving the way for the RedHawks, who have hit at least five treys in 11 of their last 14 games, has been Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo), who leads the MAC with 2.33 3-point field goals per contest.
STRING OF TREYS: As testament to what has become a fine 3-point shooting tradition, the RedHawks are working to maintain a string of games with at least one 3-point field goal that dates back to March of 1993. Since that game, a MAC Semifinal loss to Kent State, Miami has drained a 3-point bucket in 241 consecutive games-the longest such streak in the MAC. Louisville holds the current NCAA record, having buried a trey in 309 straight games. Miami's streak is the longest in the MAC. Individually, Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) has hit a trey in 22 straight games.
ANATOMY OF A SHOOTOUT: Miami has certainly established its offense over its first seven Mid-American Conference games, but the RedHawks have not fared so well on the defensive end of the floor. According to the latest MAC rankings, Miami ranks second in the MAC in scoring offense (75.6) while leading the league in field goal percentage (.475). The RedHawks rank seventh in scoring defense (67.1), however, and last in field goal percentage defense (.488). No MAC team has shot worse than 41 percent against Miami, and the last four opponents have hit a combined 52 percent from the field.
MAKING A STATEMENT: A two-time honorable mention all-MAC honoree over the past two seasons, Miami's Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) has her sights set on bigger things this season. Seven games into the MAC season, Cusick has emerged as a frontrunner for the league's player of the year award. As of Jan. 23, Cusick ranked among the MAC's leaders in eight of a possible 12 categories. Cusick leads the league in points (18.2), 3-point field goals (2.83) and steals (2.72) per game, while ranking second in assists (5.94 apg). In MAC play, Cusick is averaging a league-best 20.4 points per game, which is nearly four points per game better than her nearest competitor.
20-POINT DIVA: After tacking on her seventh and eighth 20-point games of the season last week versus Kent State and Northern Illinois, Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) has tied all-time leading scorer Monica Niemann (1991-95) for first-place at Miami with 21 career 20-point games. Cusick cleared the 20-point barrier six times as a freshman and seven times as a sophomore. One more 20-point game this season will tie Cusick for the single-season record, which is shared by Niemann and Mary Ann Meyers (1978-82).
TOUGH AS THEY COME: When opposing coaches are scouting Miami, they do not have to wonder whether or not point guard Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) will be on the floor. Cusick has played in all 75 games of her collegiate career thus far and has made a remarkable 72 consecutive starts. Opposing teams can also expect Cusick to show up on the stat sheet, where she has scored in double figures in 17 straight games and 21 of the last 22.
CHART CLIMBING: Although just a junior, Miami's Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) is making her presence felt in Miami's career record book. Cusick cracked the Top 10 in Miami's career scoring list with her 23-point outing versus Northern Illinois last Saturday. The junior, who has tallied 1,078 in her career, is now just eight points from matching head coach Maria Fantanarosa for ninth place all-time.
Already ranked among Miami's career Top 10 for assists (2nd-395), free throw percentage (4th-.797) and 3-point field goals (3rd-157), she could finish her career ranked among Miami's career Top 10 in 10 major statistical categories.
A BRAND NEW DAY: Just over halfway through the 2001-02 season, sophomore forward Colleen Day (Independence, Ohio/Holy Name) is in the midst of a break-out season. Through 18 games, Day has scored in double digits 12 times, rebounded in double digits four times and assembled four double-doubles. The sophomore also has set career highs in virtually every statistical category, including her career-high 28-point outing versus Ohio on Jan 12. Day also has been uncanny from 3-point range, draining 18-of-24 (.750) treys this season. Day has struggled over the last three outings, tallying just 6.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
SENSATIONAL OR SLUMPING?: Following a fabulous freshman season in which she earned honorable mention all-MAC, MAC all-freshman and MAC all-tournament recognition, Miami's Kim Lancaster (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) has been hovering between sensational and the dreaded sophomore slump this season. Through 10 games in which Lancaster has cleared the double-figure plateau, she is averaging 15.4 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 54 percent from the field. In eight games where Lancaster has been held to less than 10 points, she is averaging just 5.9 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting a mere 36 percent from the floor. Lancaster has posted four double-digit outings in seven MAC contests.
A NOSE FOR THE BASKET: Sophomore guard Melanie Kozlowski (Parma, Ohio/Holy Name), who has worn a protective mask since suffering a broken nose versus Kentucky (Dec. 5), has been providing Miami with a steady long-range threat over the past nine contests. Kozlowski, who drained three or more treys in four league games, has hit 18 3-pointers over the past nine games. The sophomore moved into 10th place on Miami's career list with her three treys versus Akron, while also amassing her first career double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Kozlowski hit a career-best four 3-pointers and tallied a career-high 20 points in Wednesday's loss at Eastern Michigan.
SHE SHOOTS, SHE SCORES: Miami freshman Kim Smith (Gary, Ind./West Side) has been showing promising signs of what may lie ahead in her collegiate career. On Dec. 15, Smith shredded Detroit for 18 points and 10 rebounds, notching her first career double-double. On the day, the forward scorched the nets for eight buckets in 12 attempts. Her solid play continued on Dec. 18, when she drained 4-of-7 shots on the way to 11 points versus Western Kentucky, and on Dec. 21, when she poured in 13 points versus St. Francis for her third straight double-digit scoring effort. After a recent slump, Smith returned to life versus Ohio (Jan. 12) with 12 points in just 18 minutes. The freshman has hit a solid 46-of-78 (.590) shots from the field.
DEPTH PERCEPTION: Saturday's contest may come down to endurance for two of the league's most depleted benches. Since losing off-guard Katie Schwegmann (Melbourne, Ky./Bishop Brossart) for the season last Saturday, Miami played only seven players in losses to Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan. Kent State, which has been ravaged by injuries all season, also is playing only seven players. Leading the way for the two teams are Miami's Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo), who is averaging 37.6 minutes per game this season, and Kent State's Kate Miller, who is playing 36.3 minutes per game in MAC action.
PETTY THEFT: Averaging 11.8 steals a game through 18 contests, Miami finds itself once again leading the MAC in steals per game. Last season, Miami ranked first in the MAC with 12.0 steals an outing. Leading the RedHawks are Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo), who leads the league with 2.7 steals a contest, and Colleen Day (Independence, Ohio/Holy Name), who rates third in the MAC at 2.3 steals a game. Cusick, who has recorded at least one steal in 56 straight games, cracked Miami's career Top 10 list with two steals versus Eastern Michgian (Jan. 23).
SEEING DOUBLE-DOUBLE: After totaling five double-doubles through the entire 2000-01 season, Miami is making up for lost time during its 2001-02 campaign. Led by Colleen Day (Independence, Ohio/Holy Name) and Kim Lancaster (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton), who have four double-doubles apiece this season, the RedHawks have amassed 10 double-doubles on the year. Kim Smith (Gary, Ind./West Side) and Melanie Kozlowski (Parma, Ohio/Holy Name) have notched Miami's remaining two double-doubles. Of Miami's current players, Lancaster leads the way with seven career double-doubles, while Day has four and Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) has three.
CRASHING THE BOARDS: After ranking 10th in the MAC in rebounding during the 2000-01 campaign, Miami has found a new level in 2001-02. Through the first 18 games this season, Miami has out-rebounded or matched its opponent 12 times and cleared an average of 37.3 caroms per game. Paving the way for the RedHawks, who rank third in the league in rebounding margin (+3.3), is sophomore Colleen Day (Independence, Ohio/Holy Name), who is averaging 7.3 boards per contest to rank eighth in the MAC. Day ranks second in offensive rebounding at 3.7 offensive boards per game. In MAC-only stats, Miami ranks first in the league in rebounding margin (+5.7) but has no player ranked among the Top 15 in rebounds.
BY THE SCOREBOARD: Miami has scored more than 70 points 10 times this season and posted a 9-1 record when doing so. On the other hand, Miami is 2-6 when scoring 70 or less. Defensively, the RedHawks are a flawless 7-0 when restricting the opposition to 70 or fewer points.
REVERSING A TREND: One of the keys to Miami's success in MAC play has been its ability to protect the ball. Entering MAC play, Miami ranked 11th in the MAC in turnovers while averaging 22.0 miscues per game. The Red and White, which led the league in turnover margin a year ago, was further struggling with a turnover margin of -2.1, which ranked 10th in the league.
It's been a different story since the start of MAC play, as the RedHawks have maintained a turnover margin of +4.0 in league action. Miami is forcing a whopping 21.4 turnovers a game versus MAC foes, while committing 17.4 miscues. Overall, Miami now ranks fifth in the MAC in turnover margin (+0.28).
SCHWEGMANN LOST FOR THE SEASON: Miami freshman Katie Schwegmann (Melbourne, Ky./Bishop Brossart), who was coming into her own after back-to-back solid shooting days versus Ohio (Jan. 12) and Kent State (Jan. 15), will miss the rest of the season after suffering a lateral meniscus tear in her right knee last Saturday versus Northern Illinois. Schwegmann, who is having surgery on the knee next week, was averaging 11.2 minutes per game as an off-guard for the Red and White. She tallied 10 points in Miami's Jan. 12 defeat of Ohio.
BODIES WORKING OVERTIME: Overtime has been paying better than time and a half for Miami over the past three seasons. The RedHawks' thrilling Nov. 28 defeat of Valparaiso extended the RedHawks' string of overtime victories to four consecutive. No current Miami player has lost a collegiate overtime game, and head coach Maria Fantanarosa has not lost an overtime contest since a 1998 loss at Buffalo.
NATIONALLY SPEAKING: According to the latest NCAA rankings, Miami rates among the nation's best in several statistical categories. As a team, Miami rates 23rd in free throw percentage, 37th in scoring offense and 38th in 3-point field goal percentage. Individually, the RedHawks' Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) ranks 33rd in assists, 46th in scoring and 13th in 3-point field goals per game.
POWER RATED: As of the Jan. 25 RPI rankings, found on www.collegerpi.com, Miami enters the week as the second highest-ranked team in the Mid-American Conference. Ranked No. 126 out of 321 NCAA Division I programs, Miami ranks below No. 107 Toledo. The RedHawks have a 2-5 mark versus teams ranked above them in the poll, including two wins versus the Top 110, and a 9-2 mark versus those ranked lower. All seven of Miami's losses have come against the Top 140. In the most recent Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) RPI rankings, Miami is rated 133rd.
CUSICK AND DAY REAP MAC HONORS: Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) and Colleen Day (Independence, Ohio/Holy Name) have wasted little time in grabbing the attention of their peers this season. Cusick was honored as the MAC East Division Player of the Week on Dec. 3 after averaging 22.5 points per game in wins over Valparaiso and Butler. Versus Valparaiso, Cusick drained a game-tying 3-point field goal as time expired and later hit a clinching jump shot in overtime. Cusick earned the honor again after leading Miami to a 2-0 MAC start on Jan. 7.
Day was honored as the MAC's Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week on Dec. 10 after averaging 16.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as Miami defeated Kentucky and tumbled at Clemson. She owns a 3.89 GPA in English and secondary education. Day was named the MAC's East Division Player of the week after recording a double-double versus Detroit on December 15. On Jan. 14, Day was honored again when she earned East Division Player of the Week honors for the second time.
During head coach Maria Fantanarosa's tenure, Miami has claimed MAC Player or Scholar-Athlete of the week honors a total of 16 times.
LANCASTER NAMED PRESEASON ALL-MAC: One year removed from a remarkable freshman campaign in which she averaged 14.9 points per game and earned honorable mention all-MAC, MAC all-Freshman and MAC all-Tournament honors, sophomore forward Kim Lancaster (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) was honored this past October as one of five players named to the preseason all-MAC team. Lancaster burst onto the collegiate scene a year ago, setting a RedHawk freshman record with 432 points. The forward set a Miami single-game record with 40 points versus Ball State in the MAC Quarterfinals.
POWER OF YOUTH: With no scholarship seniors on a team that returns all five of its starters from last season, Miami is undoubtedly one of the youngest veteran teams in the nation. Last season, head coach Maria Fantanarosa gave 124 of a possible 145 starts, or 86 percent, to her sophomore and freshmen classes. Miami's underclassmen also accounted for 4,609 of 5,875 minutes played, or 78 percent. During the 1999-2000 campaign, Miami's freshman class-the current junior class-made an instant impact, amassing 1,906 of a possible 5,625 minutes, or 34 percent of the team's total playing time.
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