OXFORD, Ohio - The Miami University men's basketball team came away with a 69-66 win over Ball State on Tuesday evening. The win moves the RedHawks to 14-12 overall and 6-7 in Mid-American Conference action. Ball State falls to 14-12 overall and 5-8 in the MAC.
Story of the game was sophomore
Precious Ayah.
Dalonte Brown suffered an injury just 90 seconds into the game, forcing Ayah into early action. Ayah responded with a career-high 28 minutes, 11 points and 13 rebounds (five offensive). Ayah was joined by
Nike Sibande (17 points) and
Bam Bowman (12 points) in double-figure scoring.
Mekhi Lairy finished the game with nine points and a pair of clutch free throws with three seconds remaining in the game.
The two teams exchanged baskets for a majority of the first half before a 9-0 run by the RedHawks put Miami up 24-14 with 9:09 remaining in the first half. The run was highlighted by a three pointer from senior
Abdoulaye Harouna. A step-back three pointer from Sibande helped Miami maintain a 30-22 advantage.
Ball State answered with an 11-5 run of their own to get within 35-33 with 2:28 left to play in the first half, but Miami closed on a 6-2 run to give the Red and White a 41-35 halftime lead. Highlight of the run was a brilliant steal and layup from Sibande.
Miami pushed its lead to 11 to begin the second half with back-to-back triples from Ayah and Sibande.
A pair of Harouna free throws extended the Miami lead to 53-38 with 14:47 to play and the RedHawks maintained a double digit advantage for the next nine minutes.
The Cardinals began to find its shooting touch and got to within 62-57 with 3:34 to play, forcing head coach
Jack Owens to call a timeout.
Ball State continued to climb back into the game, getting to within a one at 67-66 with five seconds to play. Lairy was fouled with three seconds remaining and went to the charity stripe and drained both free throws. The Cardinal three pointer at the buzzer was a tad off as Miami picked up the win.
Miami returns to action Saturday, Feb. 23 with a trip to Akron, Ohio. Opening tip is set for 2 p.m.
