KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Fifth-year senior
Mekhi Lairy scored a team-high 21 points to propel the Miami University men's basketball team to their fourth straight win and a 77-62 win over Western Michigan.
Anderson Mirambeaux added 18 points and
Ryan Mabrey contributed 14 for the RedHawks (12-18, 6-11 MAC). Tray Maddox Jr. put up 25 points for the Broncos (7-23, 3-14 MAC).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Miami got off to a red-hot start, commanding a 12-0 advantage after Lairy knocked down a pair of three-point field goals and made a driving layup. Western Michigan utilized a 15-5 run to come within two points at 17-15 with 12:12 left in the first half. Miami responded with a collection of layups that extended their lead to 25-17. Lairy and Mabrey each scored from beyond the arc to regain a double-digit lead at 36-26 entering the locker room.
- Coming out of halftime, Miami utilized two layups and free-throws to hold on to their double-digit advantage at 42-31. Western Michigan came within five points at 42-37, but Lairy buried his fourth three of the game to deter WMU. Mirambeaux scored eight consecutive points for the Red and White to fight off yet another Western Michigan push at 56-47.
- With 7:51 on the game clock, Kamari Williams made a shot from downtown to keep control of the game. A layup from Mirambeaux and Jumper from Williams helped Miami maintain a 67-55 lead in the closing minutes. Morgan Safford went 6-6 from the free-throw line in the final two minutes to put the game out of reach. The RedHawks finished the game leading by 15 points, defeating WMU 77-62.
NOTES
- Miami shot 50% from the field (25-50).
- Lairy moved into fifth place on the program's all-time three-point field goals list with 196, passing Dalonte Brown (2018-22).
- Mirambeaux recorded a career-high five blocked shots.
- Safford made a career-high nine free throws and went 9-9 from the free-throw line.
UP NEXT:
Miami finishes conference play by traveling to the University at Buffalo this Friday, Mar. 3. Tip time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Buffalo, N.Y.
