BOX SCORE
CLEVELAND- No. 2 East seed Miami ended Western Michigan's postseason run, as the No. 3 West seeded Broncos fell to the RedHawks, 65-60, in the second round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena.
After narrowing a seven-point deficit to two, 49-47, late in the second half, Western Michigan was dealt a game-changing blow with 8:05 remaining when junior point guard Tiera DeLaHoussaye got caught up chasing an offensive rebound. Having her legs taken out from under her, DeLaHoussaye fell hard to the floor. The First Team All-MAC performer would have to leave on a stretcher and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. She would be released later in the evening and was able to travel home with the team.
When action continued, senior Amanda Parker and the rest of the Bronco squad did their best to fight on without their fallen leader. Parker sank a three, her first of the game, to give WMU the lead, 50-49, with 7:44 remaining and scored nine of Western Michigan's 13 points after DeLaHoussaye's injury.
The Brown & Gold effort would come up just short, as Miami regained the lead for good off an Amanda Jackson jumper with 7:23 to go. Although given the opportunities to pull ahead, the Broncos were unable to make good on their chances.
Both teams had their windows to break the game open, but neither cashed in. Western Michigan held Miami to just 1 of 12 shooting to start the game, and owned a 12-4 lead midway through the first half, but let Miami back in the ball game and actually trailed the RedHawks at the half, 31-28.
Miami went up by seven after Jackson sunk a three with 9:02 remaining, but costly turnovers allowed Western Michigan to stay in the game. Both teams committed 21 miscues on the day.
Five players reached double figures for WMU, who shot 37.9 from the floor and 68.4 (13-for-19) from the free throw line. DeLaHoussaye was on her way to a triple-double before her early exit, totaling a team-high 14 points, to go along with eight rebounds and seven assists.
Parker finished with 13 and Brenna Banktson chipped in 11. Both Ebony Cleary and Sara Vest scored 10, with Cleary recording her fourth double-double of the season, also grabbing 10 rebounds.
Laura Markwood was named Player of the Game, leading Miami with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Western Michigan limited Jackson, the MAC's leading scorer, to just four points in the first half, but she would come on in the second, ending the afternoon with 17 points and a game-high seven steals. Stephanie Ford added eight points and 11 rebounds.
The RedHawks shot 35 percent from the floor, hitting 4-of-20 from behind the arc. After getting to the line just six times in the first half, they returned 17 times in the second, and finished 19-of-23 (82.6) at the stripe.
The score changed five times on the afternoon and was tied on five occasions.
Western Michigan closes out the 2007-08 season with an overall record of 13-19, after finishing third in the MAC West with a record of 9-7. Miami advances to Friday's semifinal round of the conference tournament and will face the winner of the Ball State/Toledo game.
Post-Game Quotes
Western Michigan Head Coach Ron Stewart (opening comment): “I've got a great group of people. A lot of people say that and they're not telling the whole truth. I'm telling the truth. This is a great group. They competed throughout the year, they've always competed, and they've improved. Some limitations in certain areas, the point guard situation, found that out about eight minutes ago today. We're all hoping to find out as soon as we can here, to get to see Tiera. Right now on our minds is her health, which we know nothing about it. Certainly that is probably the biggest thing that we can stress is our concern for our point guard.”
Senior Amanda Parker (on losing Tiera DeLaHoussaye to injury): “I said this one's for you. But, we fell short. I tried to do everything I could for her. This is the last time we're going to play with her and everybody else. Me and Tiera are as close as they get and it's tough. Tiera leads us every day, practice, games, so when she went out it was my time to lead. I tried to do everything I could for the team, and especially for Tiera. It hurts not being able to finish the game with her, but like I said this is a great team, and this is a great group of girls.”
Sophmore Molly Dwyer (on the change in game after Tiera went out): “I think that they [Miami] underestimated us. They were trying full court pressure at that point when T went out. We just had to step up and I think we did a good job at that.”
