University of Toledo
MIAMI (OH)
Toledo Drops Decision to Miami, 67-65
2/8/2004 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
TOLEDO, OH - Miami University (14-6, 8-1 MAC) ended a 14-game skid to the Toledo women's basketball team (10-11, 6-4 MAC) Sunday afternoon in Savage Hall, claiming the hard-fought 67-65 victory. The win was the RedHawks' first in Toledo since 1990 and first against the Rockets since 1995, a span of 15 games.
"It's tough losing at home, but we just have to come back and try to get a win at Eastern Michigan on Wednesday," Toledo senior Mary Blessing said. "We came in wanting to control the tempo of the game. I think we did a good job putting the pressure on them and slowing them down, but it wasn't enough in the end."
Junior Karin Hoogendam led the Rockets with a season-high 20 points and seven rebounds. Senior Julie Hillis recorded her third double-double of the 2003-04 campaign, finishing with 13 points and a game-high 12 boards. UT also received a quality performance from sophomore Crystal Young, who tallied eight points and two steals off the bench.
Toledo finished the contest shooting 43.1 percent (25-of-58) from the floor and held a 43-38 advantage on the boards. UT, though, had its troubles handling the ball, committing a conference-season high 21 turnovers. The Rockets also had problems at the charity stripe, converting only 11-of-20 (55%) attempts.
"Turnovers and free throws were the two key factors in determining the outcome of this game," Toledo Head Coach Mark Ehlen said. "You can't have 21 turnovers and shoot 55 percent from the free-throw line and expect to win a close game."
Amanda Jackson and Melanie Kozlowski paved the way for the RedHawks with 18 points apiece. Kim Lancaster added 14 points, six boards and three blocks.
During the opening stages of the contest, neither team was able to find its offensive rhythm. The RedHawks grabbed an early 12-9 advantage at the 13:54 mark, but would go more than six minutes before their next field goal. The Rockets, though, would not be able to take full advantage and pull away, but were able to hold a 19-14 lead with over eight minutes left in the half.
After cutting the Toledo lead to two points, Nicole Motto drained a three-point field goal to put the momentum back in Miami's favor, 20-19. UT sophomore Leah Gonnella split a pair of free throws to draw the team's even, before the RedHawks finished off an 11-3 run to go ahead 25-22 with under five minutes remaining. Back came the Rockets with five straight points by Hillis to reclaim the lead with 2:12 remaining.
With the first half running out, Miami's Jackson converted a layup with 19 seconds remaining, but UT's Young went the length of the floor and scored as the buzzer sounded to spot the Rockets a 31-30 halftime edge.
In the second half, consecutive field goals by Kozlowski put the lead back in Miami's favor, 42-39, and forced UT into a timeout with 13:30 left in regulation. Off the timeout, Hoogendam scored and forced a turnover on Miami's ensuing possession to set up a short jumper by sophomore Lexee McDonnell, which gave Toledo its final lead of the contest, 43-42.
The lead was short-lived, as Miami looked to have things in control, going on an 8-0 run to give the MAC East Division leaders its largest lead of the contest, 50-43. The Rockets refused to play dead pulling within a basket at 52-50 with 6:56 remaining. The teams exchanged a flurry of baskets over the next three minutes, but Miami still emerged with a 62-61 lead when the dust settled.
Three quick points from Colleen Day spotted Miami a four-point lead, but Toledo responded with back-to-back baskets from Hoogendam and the score was tied at 65-65 with 1:13 remaining. Miami went up again after another basket by Day with 59 seconds to play, but the Rockets failed in its next attempt as they were called for traveling. UT came up with a defensive stop on Miami's next possession and regained the ball with 10 seconds to play, but they gave the ball right back after Blessing turned the ball over. The Rockets were forced to foul and Miami missed the front end of a one-on-one, giving Toledo a desperation look at the basket that would not fall at the buzzer.
"Although this was a tough loss, we were ready to work," Hillis said. "Hopefully, that will carry on in tomorrow and Tuesday's practice and we'll be ready for Eastern Michigan"
