Miami Insider: Osborn on verge of all-time women’s scoring record

History beckons Courtney Osborn. She’d prefer a championship knock on her door.

The Miami University senior guard is on the verge of becoming the No. 1 scorer in MU women’s basketball history and could get there Saturday afternoon when the RedHawks host Central Michigan.

Osborn has 1,957 career points. The only player in front of her is Amanda Jackson, who tallied 1,979 points from 2003-08.

“I would say it’s gotten better every year,” Osborn said. “We came in my first two years and we were in the bottom of the (Mid-American Conference). Then last year we made it to the WNIT. This year, we have even bigger goals.

“(Coach) Maria (Fantanarosa) has given me so many opportunities to progress as a leader and as a person. I think that’s the most important thing that I can say has come out of these four years.”

The 5-foot-10 native of Fishers, Ind., is averaging 17.4 points per game for Miami (14-9 overall, 6-4 MAC), which is tied for second place in the East Division.

Fantanarosa said she’s been fortunate to coach the program’s top three scorers: Jackson, Osborn and Heather Cusick (1,728 points from 1999-2003).

“Courtney’s going to break this record because of her consistency throughout four years as a scorer,” Fantanarosa said. “Her focus has never been on this. The focus has been to find a way to help this team win a championship, and that’s been a different kind of pressure. The championship is still the pink elephant in the room.

“Her freshman year, we were in rebuild. Her sophomore year, we were in rebuild. Last year we made huge steps, and a big part of that was her as a teammate. This year, she’s the ultimate teammate, which helps us progress toward that championship.”

Fantanarosa said if Osborn breaks the record Saturday, she will be recognized during the game and will receive the game ball when the season’s over. If it happens on the road, formal recognition will come at the next home game.

Jackson, a Springfield native now playing professionally in France, was a player Osborn looked up to.

“She was two years ahead of me, but she and Jenna Schone were who I really watched when I came to Miami on visits,” Osborn said. “When I signed, I really wanted to follow in their footsteps.”

Whenever the record falls, Osborn said she’ll be excited and proud. But she’ll also care more about what’s happening on the scoreboard.

“As a freshman, you never think you’re going to come in and have this kind of impact — I just wanted to make a difference,” Osborn said. “It’s really just a testament to the four years of teammates and coaches that I’ve had, the countless screens and passes that I’ve been given. I’ll go down in the record books, but it’s definitely an accomplishment for the teams I’ve played with.”

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