Feb. 26, 2011
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OXFORD, Ohio -- Orlando Williams established a career high with 26 points, while Julian Mavunga posted his second straight double-double and Nick Winbush also had a double-double to lead Miami to a key 84-77 Mid-American Conference victory over Bowling Green Saturday at Millett Hall.
Mavunga tallied 22 points and 11 rebounds, while adding six assists. Williams hit his first 11 shots, including five 3-pointers and three free throws. He finished the game eight of nine from the field. Winbush recorded 16 points and tied a career-high with 13 rebounds.
The RedHawks (15-14, 10-4) fell behind 4-0 in the first three minutes but evened the game at 8-8 when Mavunga scored five straight points. After a Bowling Green basket, the junior hit two free throws to re-tie the game at 10.
Miami took its first lead, 14-10, at the 13:23 mark of the first half when Williams converted a four-point play. The run continued to 21-6, stretching the lead to double digits, 24-14 with 10:34 left in the half.
The Falcons (12-17, 7-7) answered back with four straight points, then the teams played nearly even over the last seven minutes, leading to a 42-33 Miami lead at the break.
Williams tallied 14 of his points in the opening period, with Mavunga adding 11.
Bowling Green charged out of the gates in the second half, scoring seven of the first 10 points to close to within five, but Miami answered with seven straight points to return the lead to double figures, 52-40, by the 14:33 mark.
After the Falcons drew to within seven, 58-51, Williams hit a three to start at 10-2 run that gave Miami its biggest lead, 68-53, with 9:22 to play. BG hung around, slowing chipping away at the gap, though. The Falcons were behing by seven, 73-67, with just over three minutes to play, then used a 9-1 run in a span of 1:10 to trail by just two, 79-77 with 38 seconds left. But Miami hit just enough free throws over the remaining time to preserve the victory. Bowling Green missed its only chance to tie, missing a three-pointer with 21 seconds left.
A'uston Calhoun led the Falcons with 21 points and five boards. Jordan Crawford dished out a game-high nine assists.
With the win, Miami clinched at least a first-round home game for the upcoming MAC Tournament. The RedHawks are just a half-game behind league leader Kent State, who hosts Ohio later tonight.
