The Miami University women’s basketball team remains “a work in progress.”

Still missing two key guards due to injuries, the RedHawks fought off Northern Kentucky and won their home opener 63-52 on Monday night at Millett Hall.

“A lot of positive things,” MU coach Maria Fantanarosa said. “I think the fun thing about this team right now is in our first two games, you could see there’s a lot of different people that are contributing, and we’re still not even healthy.

“Would I like things to be smoother? Well, that’s the work in progress. This is the journey we’re on, and we’re going to just have to be patient and trust that the offense is going to come along.”

Courtney Osborn scored 14 of her 20 points in the second half for Miami (1-1), while freshman Maddie McCallie tallied 15 points. Kirsten Olowinski added 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 steals.

The RedHawks finished with a 10-2 surge in the last two minutes, sparked by an Osborn 3-point play with 1:55 left.

“I think we had times where we came out and looked a little flat, but I think we all found a way to respond,” said Olowinski, a senior forward. “I’m very confident in our team this year. We do have our moments with our new offense where we might not look that comfortable, but I think we always find a way to find the open player, to go to people’s strengths.”

McCallie, who didn’t score in the season-opening loss at Eastern Kentucky, hit back-to-back 3-pointers early against NKU. The 5-foot-10 guard added two more treys during a 72-second span in the final seven minutes.

“I was just doing what I normally do, running the floor and just trying to get open,” said McCallie, who was 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. “I have to credit my teammates. They did a great job of getting me the ball. I was just ready to shoot when I had the opportunity.”

The Norse (0-2), in the first season of a five-year transitional period to the Division I level, led only once (5-3), but tied the game three times in the second half.

Kayla Thacker (16) and Kaitlyn Gerrety (13) topped the scoring for NKU, which shot just 32.2 percent from the field.

“My concern used to be the defense, but you see that we’re starting to play better team defense as we get more confident with each other,” Fantanarosa said. “Our offense always sparks our defense. It’s supposed to be the other way around, but we’ve always had offensive players who when their offense is going, the defense plays harder.”

Kristin Judson made all three of her field goals and had 7 points and 4 boards for MU. Osborn dished out 9 assists, and Hannah McCue added 5 points and 5 rebounds.

Miami hosts Robert Morris on Thursday at 7 p.m.