Nov. 20, 2010
Box Score | Quotes | Notes
PHOTO GALLERY
Game Two - O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic Sub-Regional: Miami 59, IUPUI 58
OXFORD, Ohio - Outstanding second-half performances by Antonio Ballard and Julian Mavunga lifted Miami University's basketball team (2-1) to a hard-fought 59-58 victory over IUPUI (1-2) in the second game of the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic Sub-Regional at Millett Hall.
Ballard and Mavunga both scored 12 points in a back-and-forth second half to pace the RedHawks. Mavunga wound up the game with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Ballard had 14 points and five boards in his first appearance of the season. Ballard removed a heavy wrap from his healing left hand at halftime and played much more effectively.
Freshman point guard Quinten Rollins was the only other Miamian in double figures, tallying 11 points. The RedHawks also got nine points from Nick Winbush, four points from Orlando Williams, and two points apiece from Allen Roberts and Jon Harris. The RedHawks shot 61.9 percent in the second half.
Veteran IUPUI coach Ron Hunter, a Miami graduate and former RedHawk player, got a game-high 23 points from forward Alex Young. Stephen Thomas added 11 points.
IUPUI held the lead throughout the second half until Ballard followed up a Mavunga missed free throw with a layup at the 6:58 mark, then hit a free throw after he was fouled. Ballard's three-point gave Miami a 47-46 lead. The teams traded baskets on consecutive trips up the floor, but the RedHawks' Mavunga hit a huge three-pointer from the left wing at the 2:57 mark to put Miami up 53-49.
With just 1:37 remaining, Ballard snaked his way to the board for a layup that gave the RedHawks a 55-51 lead. On the Jaguars' next trip up the floor, Ballard blocked Young's driving layup. Twenty-six seconds later, Mavunga scored his final basket, re-establishing Miami with a four-point lead, 57-53.
IUPUI ball pressure caused Miami to call a timeout with 29 seconds left. The RedHawks were unable to convert that possession. The Jaguars' Young hit a pair of three throws after a Winbush foul to cut the lead to 57-55. With the clock below 20 seconds, Mavunga was fouled again. He stepped up to the line and hit both free throws to make the score, 59-55.
IUPUI came right back with a Thomas three pointer with 10 seconds left to cut the margin to 59-58. A floor length pass off Mavunga with one second left gave the ball back to the Jaguars, but Young's desperation 30-foot shot at the horn fell short.
Both teams shot poorly in the first half, with IUPUI holding a slim one-point advantage over Miami, 22-21. The Jaguars were eight-of-27 from the field (3-of-11 3FGA) for 29.6 percent, while the RedHawks were eight-of-26 (1-of-8 3FGA) for 30.8 percent. Guard Alex Young scored 12 of IUPUI's 22 first-half points.
"Ron (Hunter) kept IUPUI in the game with some great coaching," said Miami head coach Charlie Coles. "We made some bad tunrovers against their press, but we made some big plays in the final minutes and battled back to win an exciting game."
"When Antonio is in the lineup, we're a much better rebounding team," said Coles. "We did a much better job, defensively, in the second half than we did in the first half. Young is an awfully good player for IUPUI."
On Sunday, IUPUI will be matched up against San Diego State at 5:30 p.m. Green Bay takes on host Miami approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
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