RedHawks Shut Down Zips, 76-54

OXFORD, Ohio– The Miami University women’s basketball team used a stingy defensive effort to shut down visiting Akron 76-54 Wednesday night at Millett Hall. Enjulina Gonzalez paced four RedHawks in double figures with 15 points, while Ilse de Vries added a career-high 14 points. 
 
Amber Tretter chipped in 13 points and Maya Chandler contributed 10 for Miami (11-6, 4-3 MAC). Shelbee Brown led Akron (9-10, 3-4 MAC) with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
 
How it Happened:

• The Zips scored the game’s first six points, but Miami responded with an 8-1 spurt to take the lead for good on a Chandler three-pointer. Back-to-back field goals by Gonzalez and Tamar Singer stretched the lead to 17-10 with 1:38 left in the quarter. A Tretter layup gave Miami its largest lead of the period at 19-11.
• Tretter knocked down a triple and added a tough transition layup to stretch the RedHawks’ cushion to 24-12 early in the second quarter. Miami’s defense continued to steal the show, as the Red and the White held the visitors to three points in the period en route to a total of two first-half baskets. The RedHawks closed the half on a 16-2 run, sparked by de Vries, who put up 10 points in that span. The freshman forward stole the ball and took it the length of the court for a layup, drained two threes from the same spot in the left corner, and added a left-handed post move to help break the game open. Miami outscored the guests 19-3 in the second quarter and took a 38-14 lead to the locker room, holding the Zips to 12.5% shooting before intermission while forcing 15 first-half turnovers.
• The RedHawks stretched their lead even further midway through the third quarter, as a pair of Tretter baskets sandwiched around a Lakresha Edwards three-pointer made it 48-22 in favor of the home team with 4:15 left. After Akron trimmed the deficit to 22 points, Miami scored the final four points of the frame, using a Chandler pull-up jumper and a mid-range shot from Gonzalez to make it 56-30 with 10 minutes to play.
• After Miami took its largest lead of the contest at 65-33 with just over seven minutes remaining, Akron hit four three-pointers in the last quarter to edge just a little closer. Emily Bratton came off the bench to put up eight points in the final period and Edwards added five more as the RedHawks coasted to a 76-54 victory. 

Game Notes:

• Miami earned its first home victory over Akron since the 2018-19 season.
• de Vries finished with a stat line of 14 points, six rebounds, three blocks and two assists to go with a career-high six steals.
• The RedHawks forced 29 turnovers, matching the most Akron has committed this season (also vs. Michigan on Dec. 20). Miami is now 8-3 on the year when forcing 20-plus turnovers.
• The Red and White outscored Akron in fast break points 26-7, including 14-0 before halftime. 

 
Up Next:
Miami will host Kent State this Saturday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m.