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OXFORD, Ohio – Senior Marie Carpenter poured in 27 points and knocked down the game-winning three-pointer with 22 seconds on the clock as the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team defeated host Miami (Ohio), 59-55, in its season opener on Friday afternoon at Millett Hall.

It was EKU's first win over Miami in Oxford since 1977.

Miami (0-1) led EKU (1-0) by a pair, 55-53, until senior Pilar Walker connected on a three-pointer from the wing to give the Lady Colonels a one-point lead with 2:22 to play.

One minute later, sophomore Jasmine Stafford converted one of two free throws to make it a two-point advantage; however, on Miami's ensuing possession, Nicole Anderson was fouled and sank a pair of free throws to tie the game, 55-55, with 39 seconds on the clock.

That is when Walker brought the ball up the court and found Carpenter at the top of the key, who buried the three-pointer that gave the Lady Colonels the lead for good.

EKU forced Miami into a miss on the next possession and Stafford was fouled while collecting the rebound. She sank one of two free throws with 1.8 seconds remaining to put the game out of reach.

Carpenter finished the game two points shy of her career high of 29. The senior guard also scored 27 points in last year's season-opening win over Miami at McBrayer Arena.

Walker also played a key role in the win, knocking down three three-pointers to finish with 13 points. She also added a team-best four assists, none of which were bigger than the assist to Carpenter with 22 seconds remaining.

Sophomore Shelly Harper grabbed a team-high nine rebounds in the game – several of which came in the waning minutes of the second half – while freshman Nicole Bowers came off the bench to add six points and seven boards.

Eastern shot 47 percent (22-of-47) from the field in the win and limited Miami to just 36 percent (19-of-53) shooting on its home court.

Anderson and Hannah Robertson both scored 13 points to pace the RedHawks.

Carpenter came out firing from the get-go, scoring six quick points as EKU grabbed an 8-2 lead at the first media timeout of the game. After the Lady Colonels stretched their lead to seven on a pair of free throws by sophomore Miranda Maples, Miami battled back and took the lead, 14-13, on a layup by Anderson with 11:01 remaining in the first half.

The RedHawk lead grew to four, 21-17, until EKU used an 8-3 run at the end of the half to retake the lead and head into the locker room at halftime up by one, 27-26.

The second half of the game featured five lead changes, and neither team ever led by more than four.

EKU has now won two straight over Miami and leads the overall series between the two schools, 10-4.

The Lady Colonels return to action on Sunday at Kent State. Tip is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.