OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University men's basketball team (3-3) rolled past Spalding 82-43 at Millett Hall on Tuesday evening.
Jackson Kotecki led all players with 19 points. Three other RedHawks scored in double-figures, which includes
Mekhi Cooper (15),
Eian Elmer (11) and
Jaquel Morris (11). Dominic Sanders led the Golden Eagles with 14 points.
How it Happened:
- Miami started the game on an 11-0 run. Spalding scored their first points of the game to trail 11-3 with 14:42 to play in the first half. Kotecki responded by knocking down a three-point jump shot from the top of the key. The Golden Eagles cut the lead under double-digits at 16-9 before Morris got fouled and put in a shot from the paint.
- A pass from Evan Ipsaro to Ryan Mabrey resulted in three points with 10:02 left to play ahead of the intermission. Ipsaro later followed this up with a layup to extend Miami's lead to 26-13. Kotecki gave Miami its largest lead of the half (31-16) after putting in his second three-point field goal of the game. The RedHawks entered halftime with a 35-24 advantage.
- Spalding opened the second half with a layup to crack back within 10 points. Darweshi Hunter proceeded to thread the ball down court on a transition play to Morris for a dunk. On the next possession, Morris grabbed an offensive rebound and went up for a layup to lead Spalding 42-26. With 15:50 to play, Bradley Dean recorded a steal and dished the ball to Kotecki for a monster slam.
- The Red and White took their first 20-point lead of the game at 46-26 after Ipsaro scored a layup. Eight minutes into the second half, the Red and White took their first 30-point lead (57-26). Over this span of time, Miami went on a 22-0 run.
- Cooper, Elmer and Morris combined for 16 points in the final 11 minutes of play to secure an 82-43 victory.
Game Notes:
- Kotecki recorded a career-high in points (19) and blocks (2).
- Hunter and Elmer (career-high) put up the game-high nine rebounds.
- Cooper put up a career-high in points (15) and rebounds (5).
- Dean led all players with three steals.
- This game counts as an exhibition match for the Golden Eagles.
Up Next:
Miami travels to take on Marshall Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.