Sports

CLEVELAND — The Miami University women's basketball team has gone from nightmare to national spotlight.

The RedHawks, having staggered through 38 total losses over the previous two seasons, completed a stunning reversal of fortune by claiming their first-ever NCAA tournament berth Saturday afternoon, March 15.

Amanda Jackson and Jenna Schone each scored 19 points to lead the RedHawks past the Ohio Bobcats 67-56 in the championship game of the Mid-American Conference tournament at Quicken Loans Arena.

"We were hungry, and I think that made a difference," said Jackson, MAC tourney MVP and Miami's all-time leading scorer. "We wanted it, and I think that's what gave us the advantage."

"We had something to prove," added Schone, who along with Jackson was named to the All-Tournament team. "That's pretty much what was on my mind."

It was during the opener of the 2005-06 season that Jackson and teammate Laura Markwood collided and were injured. Jackson missed the rest of the season. Markwood was out for about a month, and the RedHawks never recovered, finishing 8-20.

Last year, there were more injuries, more roster shuffles and another losing season (12-18).

"I enjoy this team. I love the student-athletes on this team," Miami coach Maria Fantanarosa said. "These players have had so many distractions the last two years, and they've remained focused on what we have to do."

The NCAA tournament opens with the first round Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23.

Miami (23-10), which has won six in a row, took control of Saturday's game with an 11-0 run sparked by junior center Stephanie Ford's basket with 11:31 remaining. She also converted a three-point play during the scoring spree and finished the day with her second double-double of the year, 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Markwood also pulled down 11 rebounds for Miami, which had a 44-36 advantage on the boards.

The Bobcats (20-13), who were led by Lauren Hmiel's 12 points, shot only 36.4 percent from the field. The 56 points were Ohio's third-lowest total of the season.

"(Defense) was a big part of our game plan," Fantanarosa said. "We knew we were going to have to guard their screens, guard their posts. We wanted to attack them. We wanted to eliminate all the easy baskets for OU. We went from zone, to man, to trapping. We were able to play hard, and we were able to play smart."

A 3-point basket by Ohio's Jennifer Poff cut Miami's lead to 52-46 with 6:09 on the clock, but the RedHawks answered with two free throws by Jackson, a layup by Markwood and a jumper by Jackson that bounced high, then dropped through the rim.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.