The moment was surely a tearjerker, and Miami Redhawks coach Glenn 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 had 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.

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.

After halftime, Toledo put together a 9–2 run, which brought the Miami RedHawks‘ lead to only 42–36 in the third quarter. Just moments later, the Rockets closed the lead down to 43–38 and were threatening to erase the lead Miami had built up. However, the RedHawks were able to score when they needed to and, at the same time, they were tightening up their defense, which allowed them to maintain a lead of 47–40 heading into the fourth quarter.

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.

“To me it just spoke to our championship makeup,” Box said. “We could easily have collapsed. But when we needed to tighten the screws, we tightened the screws. We executed on offense and made plays.”

“That speaks to our versatility and our intelligence because we simply take what you’re willing to give us,” Box continued. “Each game has its own identity. We just want to be efficient — taking the right shot, doing the right thing, making the right play.”

And surely, the 2008 team serves as the best blueprint of all the right things.

Miami RedHawks Golden Year In 2008

Miami Redhawks’ win at the MAC would naturally bring back memories of their 2008 season, 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.

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 lost in the first round against Louisville (81-67).

Let’s hope this team makes a bigger push for the NCAA title this time. Because let’s be real, who doesn’t like a good underdog story?