At the end of regulation, the score was knotted at 64-64. Miami fell behind 67-66 with just over three minutes remaining, but the RedHawks weren't finished. Kim Lancaster chipped in a layup at the 2:35 mark and Heather Cusick added a jumper to give Miami a 70-67 advantage with 1:18 to go.
With 23 seconds left, Marlous Nieuwveen connected on a short jumper to bring the Crusaders to within one point. However, Cusick drained a free throw and Amber Schober missed a shot with two seconds remaining to seal Miami's third consecutive victory.
Miami fell behind by as many as nine points (57-48) midway through the second half, but Kozlowski hit two clutch three-pointers to bring the RedHawks back into contention. Kozlowski scored all 17 of her points in the second frame.
Miami opened an early 14-5 lead as Kelli Stamper erupted for eight points in the first four minutes. Stamper drained both three-pointers she attempted during the stretch.
However, the Crusaders embarked on a 16-4 run over the next eight minutes, grabbing a 21-18 advantage with 6:52 remaining in the first frame.
The Crusaders went to the locker room with a 36-35 lead. However, Miami outscored Valparaiso 29-28 in the second half to send the game into overtime.
Besides Kozlowski, Cusick (17 points), Stamper (14) and Lancaster (13) also hit for double digits for Miami. Lancaster snared a team-best 11 boards as well, while Cusick dished out six assists.
Miami (6-4) finished the game shooting 46 percent from the field, while holding Valparaiso to 37 percent. In the game, there were 21 lead changes and 10 times when the score was tied.
The RedHawks open Mid-American Conference action on Wednesday, Jan. 3 as they host Buffalo. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Millett Hall.
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