Jan. 10, 2009
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OXFORD, Ohio -- Miami scored the first eight points of overtime, finishing the extra period with a 16-3 advantage, to post a 64-51 victory over Akron Saturday afternoon in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams.
Julian Mavunga equalled his career-high effort of 12 points Wednesday against Dayton by tallying 12 against the Zips. Carl Richburg and Michael Bramos also scored 12 points for the RedHawks (9-5, 1-0).
Akron (8-6, 0-1) was led by Anthony Hitchens with 12 points and Brett McKnight with 10.
Bramos atoned for an 0-for-7 night from three-point range by scoring the first four points of overtime. He hit a pull-up jumper in the first minute, then turned a steal into a fastbreak dunk at the 3:55 mark. Tyler Dierkers followed with a layup before Mavunga capped the run with an offensive tip-in, putting Miami up eight.
McKnight answered with a three for Akron, but the RedHawks ended the game with another 8-0 run.
Miami needed two key shots by Richburg in the final two minutes of regulation just to get to overtime. The senior hit a long-range three from the top of the key at the 1:46 mark, tying the score at 46, then answered a pair of Anthony Hitchens' free throws with a driving layup with just 24 seconds to play.
The RedHawks looked to be cruising early on as they scored the game's first eight points. Richburg started the scoring 2:23 into the game with a conventional three-point play before Tyler Dierkers also converted a basket and free throw. Adam Fletcher slammed home a fastbreak dunk to complete the run.
Akron missed six field goal attempts and had six turnovers before McKnight put back a miss for the Zips' first points. They followed with nine of the next 10 points to open an 11-9 advantage with 12:07 left to play.
Only two points separated the teams over the remaining time in the half with Akron ahead 13-11 before Miami tallied four straight points for a 15-13 lead. From there the teams traded baskets, ending in a 19-19 tie at the break.
After hitting just 27.6 percent in the first half, Miami heated up for a 41.7 final effort. It hit 52.9 percent in the second half, then made six of nine attempts in overtime. The RedHawk defense held Akron to 31.6 percent, the second-lowest total of the season, and forced 17 turnovers.
Miami returns to action to Wednesday night when it hosts Ohio at Millett Hall at 7 p.m.
Note: A tip-in at the 7:44 mark of the first half was credited to Julian Mavunga. After reviewing video of the play, it was determined that Nick Winbush tipped in the basket. Mavunga finished with 12 points and Winbush finished with 2.
