OXFORD, Ohio (March 3) -- Heather Cusick poured in 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting as Miami University's women's basketball team surged past Marshall in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament Saturday evening in Millett Hall. With the win, the RedHawks move into the quarterfinals on Tuesday night at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, playing No. 3 seed Ball State at 9:30 p.m.

Miami raced out to an early 24-3 lead in the first nine minutes as Marshall missed their first 11 shots from the field. On the other hand, the RedHawks connected on nine of their first 12 shots. Kim Lancaster and Cusick each hit for eight points during the spurt.

The Red and White eventually stretched its lead to as many as 27 points and ended the half with a 47-22 advantage.

For the half, Miami shot an impressive 67 percent from the field, including hitting 4-of-7 three-pointers. The Thundering Herd managed to shoot a mere 22 percent from the floor. The RedHawks took advantage of Marshall's 10 first-half turnovers and turned them into 17 points.

In the second half, the Green and White cut the lead to 18 points on two different occasions, but could not mount a comeback.

Miami shot 55 percent from the field in the game, while the Thundering Herd mustered only 28 percent of their shots. The RedHawks also drained 11-of-15 three-pointers and held Marshall to just 3-of-18 from behind the arc.

Besides her 22 points, Cusick snagged seven rebounds and dished out four assists. Jana Butler added 15 points and nine boards for Miami and Lancaster pitched in 15 markers on 5-of-9 shooting.

Yashico Stevens led all scorers with 23 points for Marshall.

Game Notes: With the win, Miami finished the season 10-2 in Millett Hall. The 10 wins are the most at home since the 1996-97 season, when Miami sported a 12-1 record in Oxford ... Cusick had two steals and extended her streak to consecutive games with at least one steal to 36 contests ... the RedHawks' 17 wins this year are the most in head coach Maria Fantanarosa's three years at Miami ... Miami's bench outscored Marshall’s 25-3.