RedHawks Drop MAC Opener to CMU, 84-77

Saturday, January 5

Oxford, Ohio

2:00 p.m.

Miami University

8-6

Central Michigan

12-2

Central Mich.

Miami (OH)

1/5/2019 5:24:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University men's basketball team made several attempts to comeback after falling behind early to Central Michigan, but the Chippewas hit some timely three-pointers to help secure an 84-77 victory on Saturday. The RedHawks fall to 8-6 overall and 0-1 in the Mid-American Conference. Central Michigan improves to 12-2 overall and 1-0 in the MAC.

Both teams hit 10 triples during the game and nearly the same amount of free throws, but the Chippewas finished 30-for-62 (48.4 percent) from the field, while Miami was 26-for-62 (46.4 percent), which proved to be the difference. Sophomore forward Dalonte Brown led the RedHawks with 22 points.

CMU jumped to a 9-5 lead in the first five minutes of the contest. Back-to-back triples from Brown and sophomore guard Jalen Adaway quickly gave Miami an 11-9 lead. The Chippewas answered with an 8-1 run to take a 17-12 advantage with 11:47 to go.

A bucket by freshman guard Mekhi Lairy got the 'Hawks offense going again. A layup from senior guard Darrian Ringo made it 22-19 at the 9:08 mark. Brown hit a couple of jumpers, but each time the Chippewas answered with a bucket to maintain their advantage. They eventually pushed the lead to 11 at 34-23 with 4:04 to go. Ringo had another basket, while Lairy and sophomore guard Nike Sibande each had three-pointers as Miami closed the half on a 10-5 run to cut the deficit to 39-33 at the half.

Central Michigan built the lead back to 10 early in the second half. Junior forward Bam Bowman hit back-to-back layups, while three straight free throws from Sibande were part of a 9-2 run that pulled the RedHawks within three at 45-42 with 16:24 to go. The Chippewas immediately followed with a key three pointer to start an 8-2 run to make it 53-44 at the 14:46 mark.

The lead stayed between six and 11 points until it was 66-55 with 7:42 to go. Miami's defense picked up, allowing the 'Hawks to make another run. Adaway and Brown started with a pair of free throws each. Lairy followed with a driving layup and Sibande drained a triple to make it a 68-64 game with 4:56 to go. But again Central Michigan answered with a 6-0 run to push the advantage back to 10. Sibande would drain another three, but Miami was unable to pull any closer than six points the rest of the way.

Sibande finished with 17 points for the RedHawks, while Lairy had 13. Ringo finished with eight points and seven assists. Adaway had a season-high 13 rebounds for Miami, but the Red and White lost the rebounding battle, 42-36.

The RedHawks return to action Tuesday when they host Northern Illinois. Tip time is 7 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN+.