OXFORD, Ohio – Eastern Kentucky University’s women’s basketball team cut a 9-point deficit to two at the end of the third quarter, but 15 unanswered to start the fourth propelled Miami University to a 60-44 victory on Tuesday at Millett Hall.
With EKU (0-2) down 36-27 in the third, sophomore Teri Goodlett scored the Colonels’ next 12 points. Her second three-pointer made it a one-point game, 40-39, with 2:21 remaining in the quarter. A free throw by Bria Bass had Eastern within 42-40 at the end of the third quarter.
The Redhawks (2-0) pulled away by holding the visitors scoreless for the first 7:19 of the fourth quarter and scoring 15 straight.
Abby Wright led Eastern Kentucky with 18 points. She made 8-of-15 from the field. Goodlett finished with 12 points and five rebounds. Shay Solomon contributed 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting and grabbed six boards.
EKU shot 33 percent from the field. The Redhawks hit on 37 percent of their shots. Miami turned 20 Eastern Kentucky turnovers into a 16-4 advantage in points off turnovers.
A three-pointer from Kendall McCoy gave Miami a 10-point advantage, 14-4, with 4:20 left in the first quarter. However, Wright fueled a 10-3 EKU run to get the visitors back in the game. The senior scored eight of the 10. Her two free throws with 7:43 to go in the second quarter made it a three-point game, 17-14.
The Colonels stayed within three until five straight by the Redhawks allowed the home squad to build an eight-point cushion. Eastern trailed by six, 28-22, at halftime. Wright had 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field in the first half.
Eastern Kentucky scored the first five points of the second half to draw within one point, 28-27. Miami answered with an 8-0 run to push out in front by nine, 36-27.
Lauren Dickerson scored a game-high 19 points for Miami.
The Colonels will be back in action on Sunday at Ohio. Tip-off in Athens is scheduled for 1 p.m.
