KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Miami University men's basketball team overcame a shooting slump in the second half with a late run to take the lead, but a 5-0 run by Western Michigan forced the RedHawks into overtime for the first this season. The Broncos were able to take the extra session to earn an 84-79 victory Saturday afternoon. Miami falls to 13-12 overall and 5-7 in the Mid-American Conference. The Broncos are now 8-18 overall and 2-11 in the MAC.
Redshirt senior forward
Abdoulaye Harouna and sophomore forward
Dalonte Brown led four RedHawks in double figures with 17 points each, while sophomore guard
Jalen Adaway recorded his second career double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. However, Miami could not overcome a 25-for-67 (37.3 percent) shooting performance, despite hitting 13 three-point buckets.
While both teams struggled with their shots early, the teams did trade some triples. Brown and Harouna each hit one to put Miami on top, 6-1, however the Broncos answered with two of their own to make it 7-6 with 16:17 to go. Brown and Harouna each hit another triple, while a steal from senior guard
Darrian Ringo led to a dunk from Adaway to put the 'Hawks on top, 15-9 at the 14:12 mark.
The RedHawks were only able to score four points over the next six minutes, including another three from Brown. WMU took advantage to go on a 10-4 run to tie the score at 19. After an impressive steal and dunk from sophomore guard
Nike Sibande, the Broncos answered with a three-pointer to take the lead, 22-21. A triple from freshman guard
Mekhi Lairy gave the lead right back to Miami. Leading 28-26, Brown hit his fourth 3-pointer of the half to help send the 'Hawks into the break with a 33-28 advantage.
Sibande hit a layup to open up the second half, but Miami's shooting went cold as an 11-4 run by WMU tied the score at 39. After a free throw from junior forward
Bam Bowman, the Broncos answered with a 9-1 run that gave them their largest lead at 48-41 with 12:53 to go.
After Adaway hit a pair of free throws at the 10:13 mark, Ringo ended the RedHawks 7:34 stretch without a field goal by driving in for a layup. Western Michigan pushed the advantage back to seven at 52-45, but a triple from Harouna, an old-fashioned three-point play from Harouna and an and-1 by Ringo put Miami back in front. A three-pointer by Sibande completed the 12-1 run and gave the 'Hawks a 57-53 lead at the 5:55 mark.
The Broncos scored the next five points to take the advantage back. A jumper from Adaway and a three-pointer by Sibande put Miami back on top. Two free throws by Sibande made it 66-60 with 2:11 to go.
An old-fashioned three-point play from WMU cut the lead to three, but a layup by Ringo gave the 'Hawks a 68-63 advantage at the 1:29 mark. Miami was unable to score again, as the Broncos closed the half on a 5-0 run to force the game into overtime tied at 68.
Western Michigan scored the first two baskets of the extra session before Sibande drained a three to pull Miami with one. After a Bronco layup, another Sibande triple tied the score at 74 with 2:07 to go.
WMU went on a 7-2 run to take an 81-76 advantage. Brown fought to keep the RedHawks in it with a triple that cut the deficit to two with 18 seconds remaining, but the Broncos hit their free throws down the stretch to secure the 84-79 victory.
Sibande finished with 15 points and eight rebounds for Miami. Ringo had seven points and four assists. The RedHawks held a 43-37 advantage in rebounding. Western Michigan was led by Kawansie Wilkins with 26 points.
The RedHawks return to action Tuesday when they host Ball State. Tip time is at 7 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN+.
