Feb. 17, 2007
Final Stats
TERRE HAUTE, Ind.--Behind a strong second-half effort, Miami University's men's basketball team (13-12) surged past Indiana State University (12-15), 70-58, in its O'Reilly ESPNU Bracket Buster game on Saturday afternoon. Senior forward Nathan Peavy and junior forward Tim Pollitz teamed up for another 20/20 effort, scoring 21 and 20 points respectively, to lead all scorers.
The win marked Miami's fourth straight win in a Bracket Buster game with all four wins coming against Missouri Valley Conference teams.
Indiana State used a 10-0 run midway through the first half, sparked by five points from Mick Yelovich, to capture a 10-point lead with 4:02 to play, 30-20. After a Peavy tip-in, Trent Wurtz hit a jumper to take a 32-22 lead with 2:58 to play in the first half. Sophomore guard/forward Michael Bramos knocked down a pair of free throws with 58 seconds remaining to cut the Indiana State lead to three points, 32-29. After a Cole Holmstrom trey, a jumper by Tim Pollitz put the RedHawks within four points, 35-31, with 27 seconds remaining, however, Gabe Moore drilled a 3-pointer with three seconds left in the half to give the Sycamores a 38-31 lead at halftime.
Miami opened the second half on a 13-1 run, spurred by six points by Tim Pollitz, to take a 44-39 lead with 11:34 to play. Yelovich hit a jumper for Indiana State with 10:51 to play to cut the Miami lead to three points. Senior guard Doug Penno drilled a 3-pointer, Peavy put down a dunk and Tim Pollitz hit one of two throws to take a 50-41 lead with 8:39 to play to post a nine-point advantage, 50-41. ISU closed within four points twice, the last coming off of two Moore free throws with 6:58 remaining, 52-48, but Miami hit eight of eight free throws down the stretch to capture the 70-58.
Miami shot 52.2 percent from the field in the second half and 48.9 percent for the game. The RedHawks committed just six turnovers for the game, committing none in the first half.
In addition to Peavy and Tim Pollitz's 20-point games, Bramos chipped in 13 points. Peavy led all players with nine rebounds.
The Sycamores were led by Moore with 13 points, while Holmstrom had 13 points and Trent Wurtz added 11 points.
Miami returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 21, hosting Mid-American Conference East Division leader Akron at 7:30 p.m.
