Jan. 20, 2010
Final Stats
AKRON, Ohio - Senior center Adam Fletcher recorded his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds, but an off-shooting night, including 2-of-16 from behind the arc, was too much for the Miami University men's basketball team (5-12; 2-2 Mid-American Conference) to overcome, as the RedHawks fell to Akron (13-5; 3-1 MAC) Wednesday night at James A. Rhodes Arena, 69-49.
Akron led from start to finish. Miami pulled within one point three times early in the first half, the last coming off a senior guard Kenny Hayes jumper at the 14:15 mark, 10-9. From there, the Zips went on an 18-4 surge to build a 28-13 lead by the 5:21 mark. Akron added to its lead over the final minutes of the half and took its largest lead of the opening 20 minutes off a Chris McKnight 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining to give the Zips a 38-20 lead at the intermission.
Miami got as close as 14 points twice early in the second half, the last coming off a pair of Fletcher free throws at the 18:45 mark, 40-26. But Akron continues to add to its lead and pushed its advantage to a game-high 24 points with 2:20 to play and then again with 1:19 remaining. Two Kenny Hayes free throws and a layup by freshman guard Allen Roberts over the final minute put the RedHawks within 20 points, which would be the final margin.
In addition to Fletcher's double-double, Hayes led the RedHawks with 15 points, while junior guard/forward Antonio Ballard chipped in 10 points and three assists.
Chris McKnight led the Zips with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Zeke Marshall added 13 points and Brett McKnight tallied 10 points.
Miami returns to action at on Saturday, Jan. 23, hosting Bowling Green at 3 p.m.
