Jan. 13, 2011
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OXFORD, Ohio - A late three-pointer by senior forward Nick Winbush and two clutch free throws by freshman guard Quinten Rollins helped seal a 70-67 win for Miami over Buffalo Thursday night. Senior forward Julian Mavunga led the RedHawks with 21 points.
Miami had one of its strongest shooting performances of the season, hitting 53 percent (24-for-45) of its shots. The RedHawks improve to 7-9 overall and take the early lead in the Mid-American Conference East Division at 2-0. Buffalo falls to 8-6 overall and 0-2 in the MAC.
The RedHawks came out on fire to begin the first half. They hit their first five shots as they jumped to a 16-6 lead. After the Bulls closed to within four points at 16-12 with 11:17 remaining in the period, 3-pointers from Winbush and Mavunga , along with a jumper from senior forward Antonio Ballard sparked a 12-4 run that saw the RedHawks take their largest lead at 28-16 with 8:04 to go.
The Bulls answered with a 14-3 run over the next three and a half minutes to pull within one at the 3:57 mark. Miami eventually pushed the advantage back to four off of a freshman forward Jon Harris tip in, but a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Buffalo's Zach Filzen sent the Bulls into the break down only one at 38-37.
The RedHawks shot 56 percent (16-for-28) for the first half. Both Winbush and Ballard were perfect from the field, finishing with 12 and nine points respectively in the period. Mavunga also had nine points in the first half. Buffalo also shot well in the first half, hitting 57 percent (16-for-28) of their baskets.
After a slow start to the second half, a dunk from Mavunga put Miami in front, 45-41. A 7-1 run by the Bulls would give them their first lead since the opening basket at 48-46. Buffalo would eventually increase the advantage to five at 55-50 with 8:35 to go in the contest.
Free throws from Mavunga and Ballard would pull Miami to within two at 55-53. Mavunga would then find sophomore guard Orlando Williams on the next possession for a layup to tie the game once more. The teams would trade the lead three more times until a layup by Allen Roberts would put the RedHawks in front, 64-63. He was fouled on the play and converted the free throw to make it a two point game with 1:15 left.
Buffalo would answer with two free throws to tie the contest at 65 with 53 seconds remaining. After running time down on its next possession, Rollins found a wide open Winbush in the right corner, where he buried a three to give Miami a 68-65 lead with 28 seconds to go. The Bulls would hit two more free throws to pull within one at 68-67 and then fouled Roberts with 13 seconds remaining. The freshman calmly drained both shots to give the RedHawks a three-point advantage at 70-67. Buffalo would have two shots at the tying three-pointer but it would not be able to convert as Miami held on for the victory.
In addition to Mavunga's 21 points, Winbush and Ballard each contributed 15. The RedHawks outrebounded the Bulls, 27-25. Buffalo ended up shooting 50 percent (26-for-52) for the contest. The Bulls were led by Javon McCrea, who had 26 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
Miami returns to action Sunday when it travels to Bowling Green for a 2 p.m. game.
