The moment was surely a tearjerker, and Miami Redhawks coach Glen Box wasn’t immune to it either after his team did what had eluded them for over a decade. As the top-seeded Miami toppled the 6th-seeded Toledo, the Redhawks found themselves winning the Mid-American Conference Tournament title and clinching an NCAA Tournament berth for the first time since 2008, and that got coach Box in a very emotional state.

“So proud of this bunch, super proud, cause they’re special, so special,” said the coach, who was busy wiping his tears on his sweatshirt as the team behind cheered him on.

Amber Tretter scored 23 points and recorded her 31st career double-double and 10th of the season. Ilse de Vries added 17 points for Miami, while Amber Scalia scored 14 and Tamar Singer had 13 points that aided the team’s win 68-58.

Miami meant business from the get-go and came out possessed, looking to take early control of the game. It wasn’t until after the first 7 minutes that Toledo managed to earn their first points, looking to lower the 16-point deficit. When halftime approached, the RedHawks led 28-16 as the Rockets posted their lowest-scoring half of the season.

Toledo knew that they couldn’t allow this to continue and bounced back in the third quarter and even managed to outscore Miami 24-19 as Patricia Anumgba took the attack to the opposition, finishing the game with 22 points and 8 rebounds, which really helped to cut down the margin, but Miami wasn’t willing to let go that easily.

They came back strong as Tamar Singer made good on a three-point play, and in the end, Miami capitalized on the free-throw line to get their deserved victory that came after 18 long years.

Miami RedHawks Golden Year In 2008

Miami Redhawks’ win at the MAC would naturally bring back memories of their heydays back in 2008, when Maria Fantanarosa guided the team to their second MAC title victory. Miami finished the 2007–08 season 23–11 overall, 12–4 in MAC play.

It was senior guard Amanda Jackson who was leading the horde back then, quite like Singer and Scalia are doing now for the team. Jackson was also named tournament MVP, leading the RedHawks with her leadership.

Miami Redhawks grappled with state rival Ohio in the championship game, beating them 67-56, earning their way into the NCAA tournament. Just like today, that win was also quite significant because it broke the long drought of the team not getting the chance to qualify for the playoffs.

That also showed the ability of the team and how it could compete with the best of the best at the national level. However, their journey didn’t take them very far as they got evicted in the first round against Louisville (81-67)

Till today, that has been their last NCAA playoff appearance, and now all that is about to change thanks to coach Glen Box and his irrepressible team who have no quit in them.Their 28-6 journey so far has shown what they are made of and this confidence is what you would need to make it big on the big stage.

Let’s hope this team makes a bigger push for the NCAA title and reaches the furthest than what they even dreamed of. Because let’s be real who doesn’t like a good underdog story.