Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University
9-15,2-9MAC
Toledo
12-13,4-8MAC
Late Run Falls Short as RedHawks Drop 65-57 Decision to Toledo
2/11/2020 9:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Sophomore guard Mekhi Lairy helped Miami pull within one at 55-54 with under four minutes to go with a personal 8-0 run. He finished with a team-high 14 points to lead Miami.
After a tough first half against Ohio last Saturday, the Miami offense came out much stronger out of the gate against Toledo. A pair of low-post buckets from sophomore forward Elijah McNamara, along with a three-pointer from junior guard Nike Sibande put the RedHawks in front, 8-7. A three-pointer from freshman guard Dae Dae Grant gave them an 11-7 advantage at the 15:21 mark.
On the board first with a jumper by @EliMac416!
— MiamiOH Basketball (@MiamiOH_BBall) February 12, 2020
Watch Live: https://t.co/wXCorMYYT6#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/bAQ2tNxFJW
The @nike_sibande steal leads to the @DGrant_03 3! Good start for your RedHawks as we hold an 11-7 lead with 15:00 to go in first half!
— MiamiOH Basketball (@MiamiOH_BBall) February 12, 2020
Watch Live: https://t.co/wXCorMYYT6#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/V4qtumf36c
The Rockets regained a 14-13 lead before a triple from redshirt sophomore guard Isaiah Coleman-Lands put Miami on top again. The teams traded the lead three more times before a three-pointer from Grant, followed by a steal and a fast break layup by junior forward Dalonte Brown put the 'Hawks in front, 26-22 with 8:12 to go.
The smooth looking triple from @Zeke_11_Coleman gives us the lead! Under 12 media timeout, Miami 16 Toledo 14 with 11:43 to go.
— MiamiOH Basketball (@MiamiOH_BBall) February 12, 2020
Watch Live: https://t.co/wXCorMYYT6#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/NxH6BThgnX
The steal leads to the @DalontB layup! Miami leads 26-22 with 7:59 remaining in first half.
— MiamiOH Basketball (@MiamiOH_BBall) February 12, 2020
Watch Live: https://t.co/wXCorMYYT6#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/lrqw63EM8w
The offensive pace slowed down the remainder of the half as both defenses picked up their intensity. Sibande, Brown and redshirt junior guard Milos Jovic each put in buckets to help Miami take a 32-28 lead into the locker room.
The RedHawks came out flat to begin the second half, unable to hit a field goal during the first 6:12 of the period. Toledo took advantage with a 14-1 run to build its largest lead at 42-33 with 14:27 to go. Lairy ended the Miami drought with a three-pointer, and after a Rocket triple, five-straight points from Sibande cut the deficit to four points at 45-41 at the 12:13 mark.
The driving layup from @nike_sibande and Miami is within 4 at 45-41 with 11:55 to go in game.
— MiamiOH Basketball (@MiamiOH_BBall) February 12, 2020
Watch Live: https://t.co/wXCorMYYT6#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/lKZlcr6drN
Toledo outscored Miami 10-5 over the next 7:07 to push the advantage back to nine at 55-46. Lairy answered with a jumper followed by two straight triples and all of sudden MU was down only one at 55-54 with 3:47 to go.
The triple from @Nolimitdeuce pulls Miami within four!
— MiamiOH Basketball (@MiamiOH_BBall) February 12, 2020
Watch Live: https://t.co/wXCorMYYT6#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/0hHYFHvosb
Another 3 for @Nolimitdeuce means timeout Toledo! Becomes final media timeout with RedHawks trailing 55-54 with 3:47 to go.
— MiamiOH Basketball (@MiamiOH_BBall) February 12, 2020
Watch Live: https://t.co/wXCorMYYT6#RiseUpRedHawks pic.twitter.com/GAw3ggo4Do
Unfortunately the comeback was not meant to be as the 'Hawks hit only one more field goal the rest of the way. The Rockets were able to salt away the game at the free throw line, finishing off a 65-57 victory.
Sibande finished with 11 points for Miami before fouling out. Grant scored eight, while Coleman-Lands finished with six points and a career-high tying six rebounds. Toledo was led by Marreon Jackson with 24 points.
The RedHawks return home Saturday for their annual One Miami Weekend contest with the women's basketball and hockey teams. The men's basketball team will host Northern Illinois at 3:30 p.m. in a game that will celebrate the faculty and staff of the University, as well as members of the greater Oxford community. The game will air live on ESPN+. An audio broadcast will be available on the Miami Sports Network from Van Wagner. Fans can request complimentary tickets courtesy of President Greg and Dr. Renate Crawford. For more information on how to get tickets, as well as the entire One Miami Weekend itinerary, please click HERE.
