Preview: MAC Tournament Showdown Pits Redhawks Against Rockets

CLEVELAND (Interstat) — The top-seeded Miami (Ohio) Redhawks, riding a wave of dominance this season, will face a familiar conference foe in the Toledo Rockets in a Mid-American Conference women’s basketball tournament semifinal on Saturday at Rocket Arena.

The Redhawks (27-6), the conference’s regular-season champions, enter as heavy favorites. They boast a potent lineup led by forward Amber Tretter, who is coming off a triple-double performance with 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in an 80-52 quarterfinal rout of Ohio on Friday. Miami’s depth was on full display in that win, with Amber Scalia adding 22 points and Clara Gonzalez Planella scoring 17.

Their opponent, the ninth-seeded Toledo Rockets (17-14), is a surprise semifinalist after upsetting Ball State 69-65 on Friday. The Rockets are powered by the stellar play of guard Patricia Anumgba, who poured in 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the victory. Anumgba has scored 19 or more points in three of her last four games, providing the offensive spark for a Toledo team that has won three of its last five.

This matchup is a rematch of a Jan. 3 meeting in Oxford, where Miami (Ohio) defeated Toledo 63-55. The Redhawks have lost only once since Feb. 14, a 77-62 road defeat to Ohio on March 7. Toledo’s path has been more turbulent, but they have shown resilience in the tournament.

The game will feature a contrast in styles: Miami’s balanced, high-efficiency attack against Toledo’s reliance on Anumgba’s dynamic scoring. Containing Tretter’s all-around game will be a primary challenge for the Rockets, while the Redhawks’ defense will focus on disrupting Anumgba’s rhythm.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Miami (Ohio) is projected with a 64.8% probability to win and advance to the MAC championship game. Tipoff is set for Saturday, March 14, 2026, with a spot in the conference final on the line.