ESPN+. Miami is 2-11 (0-3), Western is 5-8 (0-3). So if we want to get out of last place, this is our opportunity. Western’s league losses were to top MAC teams Toledo, Ball State, and BG. However, their 5 wins are not impressive: by 2 at YSU, by 9 vs Campbell and by4 vs NC Asheville by 4 in Puerto Rico, and by 13 vs Davenport. They also have two of their best players who have been out lately with injuries in Maggie Stutelberg 12 ppg and Megan Wagner pg from Mason, Oh. They have one outstanding player in Kaitlyn Zarycki a 5-8 GS transfer from Saginaw Valley State where she was the GLIAC player of the year. She is averaging over 18 ppg. Sr Hannah Spizley 7 ppg and soph Ali Carlson also start.
Head Coach Shane Clipfell has been there since 2012 and has 148 Career wins, which is third place, only 32 wins from being tops in Western history. They usually have a solid team and often make the tournament but are not in the top group of MAC teams.
Jaydyn Scott leads Miami in scoring with 12 ppg, 12th in the MAC. Her 53.4% fg% leads the MAC.
We lead 26-22 at the half, despite a jaw-dropping 18 first half turnovers. We are shooting OK, 45% from the floor, 3 for 8 on threes, and we are out rebounding them 18 to 10. I am following on live stats. I assume Western is pressing us, who wouldn’t. Western’s star, Zarwycki, averaging 18, has only 2 points. What are we doing to slow her down?
We are out of last place! We overcame 32 turnovers ( they had 20), plus we out rebounded them 43 to 26 and we got a lot of layups and shot 53% while Western shot mostly from outside and were ineffective hitting only 30% from the floor and 45% from the line. Zarwycki scored only 9 points.
Katey Richason had15 points and 13 rebounds. Amber Tretter had 12/6. Jaydyn Scott was 5 of 7 for 10 points. Riley Neal, in her first opportunity of the season with the game on the line, was 3 for3 from the floor and 2 for2 from the line for 8 points and added 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. She will be seeing more playing time.