Dec. 31, 2011

Game Notes: Robert Morris

Listen Live: Miami Sports Network Internet Channel

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - For the first time in nearly a month, the Miami University women’s basketball team hits the road, looking to expand upon its five-game winning streak. The RedHawks complete non-conference play Monday when they travel to suburban Pittsburgh to take on Robert Morris at 7 p.m. Tim Bray has the call, and it can be heard live on the Miami Sports Network Internet Channel.

OSBORN CRACKS TOP TEN CAREER ASSIST LIST... : In Miami’s last game, a 74-60 win over Chicago State on Wednesday, junior guard Courtney Osborn tied a school record with 13 assists. The record has been set two times before, by D’Nelle Seiple vs. Wright State on Dec. 30, 1991 and by Carrie Kent at Western Michigan on Jan. 17, 1996. The performance gave Osborn 331 assists for her career, moving her into the Red and White’s top-10 career assist list. During the game she passed Kim Tullis (319 career assists), Seiple (321 assists), current head coach Maria Fantanarosa (323 assists) and Amanda Jackson (327 assists) to move into eighth on the career list. Next up is Miami Hall-of-Famer Mary Ann Myers with 336 career assists.

AND TOP TEN CAREER POINTS LIST IN SAME GAME: Busy setting up her teammates, the normally high-scoring Osborn had only seven points in the victory over the Cougars. Even so, it allowed her to crack the top-10 in career points for Miami. She is now 10th with 1,228 points, passing Kris Livington (1,226 points) and Julie Howell (1,227 points) during the contest. Next up is current RedHawk assistant coach Colleen Day, who finished her career ranked ninth at Miami with 1,269 points.

ABOUT THE COLONIALS: Robert Morris is 8-3 on the season. Prior to facing Miami, the Colonials travel to local rival Duquesne on Saturday afternoon for a New Year’s Eve matinee. In their last action before the holiday break, they defeated Akron, 85-78, on Dec. 21. Like the RedHawks at Millett Hall, Robert Morris has been perfect in home games at the Sewell Center, it enters Monday’s contest 6-0 at home this season. The Colonials are led by sophomore forward Artemis Spanou. The Greek native leads the team in both points and rebounds at 16.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Senior forward Mary Durojaye is another big contributor at 12.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per contest. Robert Morris has found its success on the defensive end this season, holding teams to an average of 58.6 points per game.

THE SERIES WITH ROBERT MORRIS: The series between the Colonials and the RedHawks is tied at one game apiece, with each team winning on their home floor.  On Nov. 12, 2006, Robert Morris earned a 90-89 victory in Moon Township on a three-pointer with nine seconds remaining. On Dec. 5, 2007 in Oxford, the RedHawks gained revenge with an 82-74 win. Amanda Jackson led Miami with 22 points in that contest.

MIAMI VS. NORTHEAST CONFERENCE: The Northeast Conference is made up of 12 small private schools in the states of New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The RedHawks do not have much history against schools from the NEC, holding a 3-2 record all-time. The only other team that Miami has faced from the conference besides Robert Morris is the other school in Pennsylvania, Saint Francis. The RedHawks hold a 2-1 advantage in that series. Miami has never faced Bryant, CCSU, Fairleigh Dickinson, Long Island, Monmouth, Mount St. Mary’s, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, St. Francis (NY) or Wagner.

UP NEXT FOR THE REDHAWKS: It’s finally time to begin MAC play. The RedHawks  will remain on the road as they head to Akron Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest. Miami returns home on Saturday, Jan. 7 when it welcomes Buffalo to Millett Hall at 4:30 p.m. That is part of a doubleheader that will see the men’s basketball team take on Akron at 7 p.m.