Box Score March 2, 2018
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OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami University men's basketball team dropped a 75-66 decision on Friday night to the Ohio Bobcats in the annual Battle of the Bricks. The loss drops Miami to 15-16 overall and 8-10 in MAC play. Ohio improves to 14-16, 7-11.
This was the final regular season contest for both teams. Details for the Mid-American Conference are still being finalized, but Miami will be home on Monday (March 5) at 7 p.m. to begin postseason play. Stay tuned to MiamiRedHawks.com for up-to-the-minute details on Miami's opponent.
Miami had four players in double figures, led by freshman Nike Sibande's 23. Jalen Adaway added 13 and Logan McLane and Dalonte Brown had 10 points apiece. Brown added a game-high 10 rebounds to make it a double-double. McLane, along with Rod Mills Jr. were honored following the contest on senior night.
Ohio shot 50-percent for the game and 44-percent from behind the arc, while Miami was 45-percent for the game and 31-percent from three. Ohio had 36 points in the paint compared to Miami's 24, while the RedHawks had an 18-9 advantage in points off of turnovers.
Like so many other Battle of the Bricks, the contest was tight throughout, seeing 13 ties and 16 more lead changes.
Ohio opened the contest with an early 5-0 lead, but Miami answered with an 11-4 run, capped by a three pointer from Sibande.
The two teams exchanged buckets for most of the first half. Miami's largest lead in the opening 20 minutes was 30-25 and 35-30. Ohio converted on a runner in the lane with 25 seconds left in the half to send the two teams to the locker room with Miami leading 35-32.
The tight game continued into the second half, neither team garnering more than a three point lead seven minutes into the second stanza. Brown's steal and dunk with 12:16 to play put Miami up 51-48, but Ohio responded with an 11-0 run over the next three minutes to take its largest lead of the game, 59-51.
Miami clawed back into the game on the back of Sibande. The freshman scored eight of Miami's next 12 points as Ohio's lead was just four at 67-63 with 3:11 to play.
The RedHawks would get no closer. The Bobcats used four straight free throws to extend its lead to 71-63 and finished the contest with a 75-66 victory.
Miami returns to action on Monday night in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Millett Hall. An opponent will be named once the conference bracket is announced.
