OXFORD, Ohio (Nov. 14) -- Miami University's women's basketball closed out its exhibition slate with a 97-88 setback to the OGBM Legends Tuesday night at Millett Hall. The RedHawks finished with a 1-1 record in the preseason.

Miami came out struggling, hitting only one of their first six shots and committing four turnovers. However, after falling behind 6-2, the RedHawks caught fire and broke out with a 7-1 run of their own. Heather Cusick (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo) hit for five points, including a three-pointer, to spark the run.

After both teams swapped baskets for much of the first half, the OGBM Legends closed the half with a 42-37 advantage.

Jana Butler (Findlay, Ohio/Liberty-Benton) finished the first frame with 12 points and seven boards. Cusick added nine first-half points and dished out five assists.

To start the second half, Larecha Jones nailed three three-pointers to stretch the Legends lead to 51-38. Once again, Miami fought back as Colleen Day (Independence, Ohio/Holy Name) led the Red and White to a 10-5 run, closing the gap to 56-49 with just over 15 minutes remaining in the game. Day notched seven points during the run, including a three-point play.

After falling behind by 13 points again (71-58), Miami bounced back with a 16-7 run as Hollie Nelsen (Waupaca, Wis./Waupaca) drilled two three-point field goals.

Miami's rally came too little too late and were not able to overcome the Legends offensive attack, ending in a 97-88 decision.

As a team, Miami shot 41 percent from the field and 81 percent (21-of-26) from the charity stripe. Both teams managed 41 rebounds and 14 steals.

Butler and Cusick led five RedHawks in double figures, scoring 18 points apiece. Butler finished six-of-nine from the field and snared nine boards. Cusick distributed a team-high 11 assists while playing all 40 minutes.

Day, who shot 60 percent from the field, added 17 points and a team-best 10 boards. Jenny Martin (Greewood, Ind./Center Grove) and Nelsen chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Jannon Roland paced the Legends with 28 points, while Jones finished with 25 points.

Miami opens its regular season this weekend (Nov. 18-19) as it travels to Boston, Mass. to take part in the Boston University Invitational. The RedHawks face the Baylor Bears on Saturday afternoon beginning at 3 p.m.

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