Miami University
New Mexico
Lobos Knock Off RedHawks in Basketball Travelers Tournament Finale
11/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 22, 2009
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Despite a 25-point performance from junior forward Nick Winbush, including five triples, the Miami University men's basketball team was unable to keep pace with tournament host New Mexico, falling 85-60 Sunday night at The Pit in the finale of the World Vision Classic/Basketball Travelers Tournament. The RedHawks (1-4), who played their third game in three days, finished the round-robin tournament 1-2 while the Lobos (5-0) swept all three opponents.
Winbush was the lone RedHawk named to the All-Tournament Team, as he registered at least 25 points for the second time in his last four contests, shooting 9-of-13 from the floor and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Junior guard Rodney Haddix II was the only other RedHawk in double figures, chipping in 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-3 from distance.
Miami was outscored by only one point over the final 20 minutes, but the first-half deficit was too much to surmount.
Other than two tied scores early on, the Lobos led from start to finish. New Mexico used a 9-0 run to build a 15-point lead by the 11:29 mark of the first half, 25-10. The Lobos pushed their lead to 24 points in the first half with 1:47 remaining, 42-18. Winbush came back and drained a 3-pointer with 49 seconds left but Curtis Dennis retaliated with a trey with 34 seconds remaining to put the Lobo lead back at 24 points at the half, 45-21.
Miami opened up the second half outscoring New Mexico 5-2 off a junior guard/forward Antonio Ballard layup and a freshman guard Allen Roberts 3-pointer to cut the Lobo lead to 19 points, 47-28. A Haddix layup with 15:50 remaining again put the RedHawks within 19 points, 49-30. New Mexico continued to add to its advantage, however, and led by 29 points twice in the second stanza, the last coming with 3:46 to play, 78-49. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Winbush and Roberts closed the gap to 23 points with 2:57 left, 78-55. New Mexico outscored Miami 7-5 over the waning minutes to post the 25-point win.
Four Lobos scored in double figures, led by Roman Martinez's 15 points.
Miami returns to action at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, hosting Evansville in its home opener.
