by Miami (OH) Redhawks women’s basketball raced to an early lead and held off a second-half push from Toledo Rockets women’s basketball to claim the Mid-American Conference women’s tournament championship with a 68-58 victory Saturday at Rocket Arena.
Miami (28-6) never trailed, using a dominant opening stretch to seize control. The Redhawks scored the game’s first 16 points and limited Toledo to just two field goals in the first quarter while building a 16-6 lead.
The Redhawks continued to control the pace in the second quarter and extended the margin to as many as 20 points before taking a 28-16 advantage into halftime.
Toledo (17-15) mounted its best run after the break. The Rockets scored 24 points in the third quarter behind a strong stretch from Patricia Anumgba, trimming Miami’s lead to 47-40 entering the fourth.
But Miami steadied in the final period, getting key baskets and free throws to maintain separation and close out the championship victory.
Amber Tretter led the Redhawks with 23 points and 10 rebounds, Ilse de Vries added 17 points, Amber Scalia scored 14, and Tamar Singer finished with 13 points and five assists.
Anumgba paced Toledo with 22 points and eight rebounds, while Ella Weaver added 10 points.
Miami shot 42.1% from the field and controlled the boards 38-35, while Toledo shot 35.7%.
The Redhawks led for nearly the entire game, holding the advantage for 39 minutes and 36 seconds on the way to the MAC tournament title.
