INDIANAPOLIS – The Miami University men's basketball team ran into a hot shooting Butler University squad as the Bulldogs came away with a 90-68 victory inside Hinkle Fieldhouse. It was the season opener for both schools.

Sophomore guard Nike Sibande led the RedHawks with 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Sophomore forward Dalonte Brown scored 16, while senior guard Darrian Ringo contributed 10 points. Miami shot 39.7 percent (25-for-63) from the field. It could not overcome a 35-for-58 performance from Butler, as the Bulldogs were able to score 48 points in the paint.

Butler jumped to a 9-0 lead to begin the game before a Sibande three-pointer got the RedHawks on the board at the 16:18 mark. Trailing 13-3, a triple from Ringo and a layup from Brown pulled Miami within five at 13-8 with 14:05 to go. The Bulldogs would extend their lead to 15 points at 27-12 with a 14-4 run over the next five and a half minutes.

Brown hit two more 3-pointers to help get the RedHawks back into the game. A three-pointer from freshman guard Mekhi Lairy and a fast break layup from Sibande cut the deficit to single digits at 31-23 with 6:09 to go in the half. Treys from sophomore guard Jalen Adaway and Sibande made it a seven-point game at 36-29 at the 3:45 mark. Butler scored the next six points to make it 42-29, but a layup from Brown and a jumper by redshirt sophomore forward Precious Ayah sent Miami into the break trailing, 45-33.

Brown finished with 12 points during the first half, while Sibande scored eight. Miami shot 40 percent (12-for-30), including 41.7 percent (7-for-17) from behind the arc.

Despite a jumper from Brown, Butler came out hot in the second half, opening with a 20-4 run to build its largest lead at 65-37. The RedHawks continued to fight as Sibande scored 10 points in a 12-2 run that made it 67-49 with 9:29 to go. Junior forward Bam Bowman put in a triple, while a pair of free throws from Ringo cut the deficit to 17 at 73-56 at the 6:50 mark, but that was as close as Miami could get before the Bulldogs pulled away for the 90-68 win.

Lairy had eight points and a team-high three steals in his debut game for the RedHawks. Ringo finished with a team-leading three assists. Butler held a 38-22 rebounding advantage and was led by Kamar Baldwin with 21 points.

Miami will look to get into the win column on Monday when it hosts its home opener against Midway. Tip is at 7 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN3.