Morgan Safford
Shelby Wright
81
Winner Toledo UT 16-6,7-2 MAC
78
Miami (OH) Miami 7-15,1-8 MAC
Winner
Toledo UT
16-6,7-2 MAC
81
Final
78
Miami (OH) Miami
7-15,1-8 MAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Toledo UT 40 41 81
Miami (OH) Miami 35 43 78

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Comeback Falls Short as Miami Drops 81-78 Decision to Toledo

OXFORD, Ohio— The Miami University men's basketball team fell in a conference game at Millett Hall against the University of Toledo Tuesday night by a score of 81-78. Morgan Safford poured in a team-high 25 points and game-high 11 rebounds for Miami (7-15, 1-8 MAC). Mekhi Lairy finished the night with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Anderson Mirambeaux put up 18 points. RayJ Dennis led the Rockets (16-6, 7-2 MAC) with 29 points.

 HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Mirambeaux recorded the first four points for Miami to take an early 4-3 advantage. Toledo withstood the RedHawk push and scored the next seven points to command an 11-4 lead. Toledo took their first double-digit lead at 16-6, but the Red and White rallied after Ryan Mabrey and Safford knocked down three-point jump shots to close within 18-16. The hot shooting didn't stop there, as Kamari Williams and Lairy each made shots from beyond the arc to keep the RedHawks within striking distance.
  • Miami took their first lead of the game at 24-22 after Jaquel Morris recorded a steal, and Safford finished a transition layup with 10:02 to play in the first half. Shortly after, the Rockets went on a 10-1 run to lead by 32-25. Heading into halftime, Miami trailed 40-35 after Lairy made a collection of jump shots.
  • A Mirambeaux layup and Mabrey three-point field goal tied the game at 40 apiece after coming out of the intermission. The Red and White regained the lead at 48-47 after Lairy scored a deep shot from downtown. Toledo responded to this by taking a 55-48 lead, although Safford ended the run after making a three-point jumper to stay within four at 55-51. The Rockets reclaimed a double-digit lead at 66-55 with 8:50 on the game clock.
  • Miami would not be deterred, Safford recording a shot from deep and a floater to come within five at 70-65. Safford continued to score for the RedHawks, making another three-point jumper and stealing the ball for a transition layup to bring the score to 77-72 with 1:52 in the game. With three seconds left in the game, Miami came within three points, but the effort wasn't enough as the RedHawks fell 81-78.
 
NOTES
  • Safford tied his career-high 11 rebounds.
  • Lairy matched his career-high nine rebounds.
 
UP NEXT:
Miami continues conference play by traveling to rival Ohio University this Saturday, Feb. 4. Tip time is set for 2:00 p.m. in Athens, Ohio.
 
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