Jan. 2, 2011
Final Stats
LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Miami men's basketball team hung close early with third-ranked Kansas but the Jayhawks used their size and a 14-0 run midway through the opening half to help break open the game and never looked back, downing the RedHawks, 83-56, Sunday night at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas (13-0) is the third top-three team Miami (5-9) has played this year and is the fifth team still unbeaten that the 'Hawks have faced.
Sophomore guards Orlando Williams and Allen Roberts, who came off the bench, led the way for the RedHawks with 11 and 10 points, respectively, with all 10 of Roberts' points coming in the second half. Miami struggled with its shooting, hitting just 39.2 percent of its shots, while Kansas shot a scorching 57.4 percent from the field. The RedHawks were just 8-for-28 from 3-point land as well.
Miami forced Kansas into 18 turnovers and snagged nine steals, including three by Williams, but committed 14 turnovers of its own and was outrebounded 46-17, including 16-5 on the offensive glass. The Jayhawks converted their offensive boards in 22 second-chance points while the RedHawks totaled just seven. Kansas also used its size to hold a 50-14 edge in points in the paint.
Senior forward Nick Winbush gave Miami its only lead of the game, 3-2, on the first of his two trifectas in the contest 1:08 into the game. Over a minute later, two free throws by Marcus Morris gave the Jayhawks a 4-3 lead and they wouldn't trail again.
Up 19-11 with 9:08 left in the first half, Kansas went on a 14-0 run over the next three and a half minutes to take a 33-11 lead with 5:27 remaining in the opening period. Miami's deficit remained between 20 and 26 the remainder of the half with the Jayhawks heading into the locker room up 47-21.
After shooting just 34.8 percent in the first half and going 2-for-12 from distance Miami did find its shooting touch in the second half, playing Kansas nearly even. The RedHawks shot 42.9 percent in the second stanza and were 6-for-16 from behind the arc as Kansas outscored Miami by just one, 36-35, over the final 20 minutes. The closest the Red and White would get in the second half would be within 23 points twice, both on free throws by Roberts in the final two minutes.
The Jayhawks were led by brothers Markieff and Marcus Morris, who combined for 38 points and 15 rebounds, including a double-double of 20 points and 10 boards from Markieff. Freshman Josh Selby also chipped in 18 points for KU, including four triples, while registering seven rebounds and five assists, one of three Jayhawks to hand out five helpers.
The RedHawks now turn their attention to Mid-American Conference play as they open league action Sunday, Jan. 9 at rival Ohio at 2 p.m.
--MURedHawks.com--
