Jan. 13, 2011

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Miami Men's Basketball Post-Game Notes
Miami vs. Buffalo
January 13, 2011
Millett Hall - Oxford, Ohio

Miami started the game a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor until its first missed shot with 14:59 remaining in the first half. The RedHawks finished the first half 14-for-25 for a first-half season-best 56.0 percent. Senior forward Nick Winbush finished the half a perfect 4-for-4, including 2-for-2 from deep, for 12 points while senior forward/guard Antonio Ballard was also 4-for-4 in the opening 20 minutes.

Miami shot 53.3 percent for the game from the field, including 20-for-32 from inside the 3-point line, marking the second time this year the 'Hawks shot over 50 percent in a game with the other coming against Saginaw Valley State Dec. 7 when the 'Hawks hit 54.9 percent from the floor. Miami shot at least 50 percent in both halves for the first time all year Thursday.

Buffalo scored the first basket of the game but Miami answered with a 16-4 run over the next 4:41 to take a 16-6 lead. Six of those points came from senior forward Nick Winbush, who had a 3-pointer and an old-fashioned 3-point play. Miami would maintain its lead until a dunk by UB's Javon McCrea with 12:53 left in the second half put the Bulls up 48-46.

Miami scored 38 points in the first half, which is two points shy of its first-half season-high of 40 against Troy on Dec. 11.

The RedHawks were a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe in first half and finished the game 18-for-23 from the free throw line for 78.3 percent, the third-best free throw percentage this season. The 18 made freebies tie for the second most by Miami on the year after making 25 charity tosses in Sunday's win over Ohio. Junior forward Julian Mavunga led the way going 10-for-12 from the free throw line.

Sophomore guard Orlando Williams had a career-high two blocks Thursday (Miami had three as a team). He had just five in his career entering tonight's contest.

Senior forward/guard Antonio Ballard snagged a career-best three steals while Miami finished with eight in the game. Miami has had at least five thefts in each of its last four games. Ballard was also 6-for-6 from the floor for 15 points, his 11th double-digit scoring game this year (in 14 games).

Junior forward Julian Mavunga tallied 21 points Thursday on 5-of-9 shooting, marking his second 20-point game of the year. His career high came Dec. 1 in Miami's win over Xavier when he scored 24 points. Mavunga was also 10-for-12 from the free throw line, marking both a career high for makes and attempts while the 10 makes were also the most by any RedHawk this season.

Senior forward Nick Winbush hit the go-ahead 3-pointer for Miami with 28 seconds left in the game, putting the 'Hawks up 68-65. The trifecta was the first made triple by either team in the second stanza, and would be the only one of the half, as Miami would seal the game with a pair of free throws down the stretch to secure the 70-67 win.

Miami outrebounded Buffalo, 27-25, marking the second straight game the 'Hawks grabbed more boards than their opponent, something that hasn't happened all year.

With the win, Miami improved to 2-0 in the MAC and took an early lead in the MAC East standings as the only 2-0 squad in the division. The last time the 'Hawks won their first two games in league play was during the 2005-06 season when Miami opened with wins at Central Michigan and at Northern Illinois.

--MURedHawks.com--