OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University men's basketball team played arguably its most complete game of the year in a 76-57 win over Central Michigan on Thursday evening at Millett Hall.
Nine different RedHawks scored, led by
Nike Sibande's 17 points.
Milos Jovic added 15,
Isaiah Coleman-Lands had 13 and
Mekhi Lairy posted 12. Sibande had a team-high nine rebounds and Coleman-Lands chipped in with seven assists and seven rebounds as well. The win moves Miami to 11-17 overall and 4-11 in conference play.
Central Michigan (13-15, 6-9 MAC) came into Thursday's contest averaging 80.3 points per game and connecting on 8.1 three pointers per contest (were 4-for-17). Helping with the stellar defensive effort, Miami out-rebounded the Chippewas 44-31 on the night and forced 17 turnovers. CMU shot just 32.8 percent for the game.
Miami's offense was nearly as strong as its defense, draining 11-of-22 three pointers, had 13 offensive rebounds and 17 assists on 29 made baskets. The RedHawks outscored the Chippewas 15-5 on the fast break and 32-19 in bench scoring.
The Chippewas opened the contest on a 10-1 run in the game's first six minutes before Miami's offense began to find its rhythm. Bowman ended MU's scoring drought with a three pointer and less than three minutes later Grant drained a triple to get Miami to within 13-11.
The RedHawks' hot shooting continued as Coleman-Lands scored eight points in a 48-second span that included a pair of three pointers and a breakaway layup to put Miami up 21-17 with 8:56 to play in the first half.
After CMU tied the game at 23 apiece, Jovic and Sibande scored the next 13 points of the game as Miami maintained a 36-23 advantage at the 3:52 mark. Miami led 39-27 at the half.
Coleman-Lands connected on his third triple of the game early in the second half to push Miami's lead to 47-33 with 15:21 to play.
CMU closed the gap to 55-44 with 9:44 to go, but Sibande answered with a triple moments later to push the Red and White's lead back to 14 at 58-44.
Sibande gave Miami an 18-point advantage with a step-back three pointer and Lairy scored four-straight points to push Miami's lead to 22 at 74-52 with just under three minutes to play.
Miami hosts Bowling Green this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The MU women host Akron at 1 p.m. that same day.
