Jan. 27, 2011
Box Score
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- Miami broke a 56-56 tie with 5:13 to play by scoring 12 straight points, leading to a 68-58 victory over Central Michigan Thursday night at McGuirk Arena.
Ballard recorded a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Nick Winbush chipped in 20 points and nine boards.
The RedHawks (9-11, 4-2) shot 63.6 percent in the contest, including a sizzling 73.7 percent (14 of 19) after intermission. Miami also held a 34-23 advantage on the boards to offset 19 turnovers.
Central Michigan (5-14, 2-4) led by as many as eight points, 30-22, with 3:07 left in the first half, but Miami closed the gap by ending the period on an 8-4 run. The RedHawks shot 56.0 percent in the stanza, but the Chippewas capitalized on six three-pointers.
The second half was all Miami, as the overall point total was 38-24 in favor of the RedHawks. After a CMU three that pushed the lead back to seven, Miami tallied five straight points, including a conventional three-point play by Winbush, to trail by only a deuce, 37-35. The RedHawks tied the game at 39, but Central answered with five points in a row to retake the lead.
A 6-0 run gave Miami its first advantage after intermission, 45-44, but the teams traded the lead on three straight trips down the floor. The RedHawks used seven consecutive points to open a six-point lead, 54-48, but the Chippewas clawed back to force ties at 54-54 and 56-56.
That's where Miami took control. Ballard put the RedHawks up for good with a layup at the 4:47 mark, then Allen Roberts added a jumper off a CMU turnover. Julian Mavunga hit three straight free throws to push the lead to seven, then Winbush capped the run with another three-point play with 38 ticks left to seal the victory. The final scoring was another set of free throws by Mavunga.
Central Michigan was led by Jalin Thomas, who hit seven three-pointers enroute to 23 points. The Chippewas connected on only 38.6 percent for the game.
Miami returns home Saturday for a 4:30 p.m. game against Western Michigan. The RedHawks will wear special throwback jerseys -- including several retired numbers -- to commemorate Miami's basketball tradition.
