Miami University
Northwestern State
RedHawks Pull Out 69-68 Win at Northwestern State
12/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2008
NATCHITOCHES, La.-- Playing its first game in 10 days, Miami University's men's basketball team pulled out a close 69-68 win at Northwestern State on Tuesday evening. The RedHawks (7-4) scored 40 second-half points to catapult them to the win over the Demons (8-6).
Sophomore guard Rodney Haddix II and senior guard Eric Pollitz paced the RedHawks with 16 points apiece, while senior forward Michael Bramos added 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Senior forward Tyler Dierkers chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds and a game-best eight assists for the RedHawks. Northwestern State was led by Devin White with 15 points. Kalem Porterie added 11 rebounds.
Northwestern State got off to a strong start, outscoring Miami 39-29 in the first half. The Demons used a 7-0 run, with five points coming from Aramie Brooks, to build a 26-16 lead by the 7:15 mark. Miami responded with a 6-0 run, including four points coming from Haddix, to close within four, 26-22, by the 5:32 mark.
The Demons continued to pad their lead and held a 12-point advantage off a Keithan Hancock trey at 1:56, 39-27. A Haddix dunk with 20 seconds remaining in the half put the RedHawks within 10 going into the lockerroom, 39-29. Haddix paced the RedHawks in the first half with 11 points. Miami played most of the first half without the services of Bramos and Pollitz, who were sidelined with two fouls apiece.
Miami came out of the half on fire, outscoring the Demons 27-10 over the first eight minutes to open up a seven-point lead, 56-49, by the 12:04 mark. Northwestern State chiseled away at the lead to pull within one point three times after that, the last coming off a White jumper with 20 seconds remaining to put the score at 69-68 in favor of the RedHawks. Miami came down the floor and the Demons fouled sophomore forward Nick Winbush with nine seconds remaining. Winbush missed the front end of the one-and-one, giving Northwestern State one more shot at the win. NSU missed a running layup with seconds remaining and Miami was able to come away with the win.
Miami returns to action on Jan. 6, traveling to local rival Dayton for a 7 p.m. game.
Notes: With two blocked shots Bramos moved into a tie for third place with Kevin Beard on Miami's career charts with 109 career blocked shots ... Bramos tied a career-high with nine rebounds ... Haddix and Pollitz both finished with a career-high 16 points... it was the first home loss for Northwestern State this season ... the win gave Miami its fifth win in December, the most during the month during the tutelege of head coach Charlie Coles.
