KENT, Ohio – The Miami University men's basketball team overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to take a three-point lead late, but Kent State closed the game on a 6-0 run to escape with a 70-67 victory Tuesday evening. The Golden Flashes improve to 17-5 overall and 6-3 in the Mid-American Conference. Miami is now 12-11 overall and 4-6 in the MAC.
It was a contest that featured 12 ties and 18 lead changes. Both teams shot an identical 22-for-53 (41.5 percent) from the field. The RedHawks had four more 3-point makes, (9-5), but the Golden Flashes got to the free throw line more, finishing 21-for-23 (91.1 percent) from the charity stripe, while MU 14-for-16 (87.5 percent). Sophomore guard
Nike Sibande just missed recording a double-double, finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds to lead the 'Hawks.
It took four minutes for Miami to get on the board, but a triple by freshman guard
Mekhi Lairy started a 7-0 run that gave the RedHawks a 7-4 advantage at the 14:18 mark. A bucket by Sibande and a three-pointer from redshirt senior guard
Abdoulaye Harouna helped Miami battle the Flashes as the teams traded the lead five times. Lairy found sophomore guard
Jalen Adaway for the mid-range jumper that put the Red and White on top, 16-15, with 9:21 to go.
Kent State scored the next nine points to take a 24-16 lead. Lairy ended the run with a triple, while a three-pointer by Sibande cut the deficit to three at 26-22 at the 4:51 mark. The Golden Flashes closed the half on an 11-6 run however, taking a 37-28 lead into the break.
The RedHawks wasted no time getting back into the game as the second half got underway. Junior forward Bam Bowman drained two triples as part of a 10-1 run that tied the score at 38. After Kent State hit a bucket, a three-pointer by Sibande put Miami back ahead for the first time in nearly 14 minutes, 41-40 with 14:40 to go.
The teams continued to trade the lead as an old-fashioned three-point play from senior guard Darrian Ringo made it 44-42. The Golden Flashes answered with a 7-0 run to go back in front by five, but Sibande hit a three and Bowman got a layup to quickly tie the game up at 49. A couple of minutes later, a layup from Lairy gave Miami a 53-51 advantage at the 9:30 mark.
Neither team would lead by more than three points the rest of the way. Trailing 59-56, Adaway cleaned up a miss with a dunk to pull the RedHawks within one. On the next possession, Ringo found him in the corner for a three-pointer to make it 61-59 in favor of Miami. KSU responded with a 5-0 run to take a 64-61 lead with 2:49 remaining.
The 'Hawks were fouled on their next three possessions. They took advantage by going on a 6-0 run all at the free throw line that put them on top 67-64 with 1:38 to go. However, the Golden Flashes were fouled on their next three possessions, and like Miami hit six straight free throws to take a 70-67 advantage. The RedHawks were unable to hit the desperation three at the buzzer, allowing Kent State to take the victory.
Lairy scored 12 points for Miami, while Bowman had 10 points and seven rebounds. Ringo finished with seven points and seven assists for the RedHawks. Jaylin Walker led the Golden Flashes with 27 points.
Miami returns to action on Saturday when it host Ohio for the first Battle of the Bricks game of the season. Tip time is 2 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN+. It is Wayne Embry Day as the RedHawks honor the Miami and Naismith Hall-of-Famer for all of his accomplishments both in college and professionally. For more information on the Wayne Embry festivities, please click HERE.
