Hunter Hits Game-Winner to Lift Miami Over Akron 70-68

Saturday, January 27

Oxford, Ohio

1 p.m.

Miami University

10-10,4-4MAC

Akron

15-5,7-1MAC

Akron

Miami (OH)

Photo by: Brian Mack

Hunter Hits Game-Winner to Lift Miami Over Akron 70-68

1/27/2024 3:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio— The Miami University men's basketball team edged past Akron 70-68 Saturday afternoon. Anderson Mirambeaux led four RedHawks (10-10, 4-4) who scored in double figures with 19 points, while Eian Elmer and Darweshi Hunter each added 13. Hunter's clutch jump shot in the final seconds of regulation sealed the victory. Ali Ali led the Zips (15-5, 7-1 MAC) offensively with 23 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Bryce Bultman put in a layup to trail by two at 6-4 early on. Akron proceeded to go on a 9-0 run to make it 15-4 with 14:55 to play. Mirambeaux found Evan Ipsaro on the left wing for a three-point shot. Mirambeaux followed this up with a mid-range jump shot to make it a 15-9 ball game.
Despite Akron's effort to pull away, a couple layups and an Ipsaro three kept Miami within striking distance at 21-16. The next possession, Ipsaro found Elmer on an inbound pass for a layup that led to a traditional three-point play. The RedHawks closed within two after Ipsaro put in a pull-up jump shot to make it 23-21. Darweshi Hunter banked in a shot from beyond the arc to give the Red and White its first lead of the game at 26-23 with 8:20 remaining in the first half.
With seven minutes on the game clock, Hunter put in yet another three to extend Miami's lead to 29-23. Mekhi Cooper flew through the lane and found Jaquel Morris for a layup plus the foul to give Miami its first double-digit lead of the game at 35-24. The RedHawks closed the half on a 28-11 run to enter halftime ahead 41-32.
With 17:52 remaining in the second half, Akron closed within five at 42-37. Mirambeaux scored a hook shot, and Hunter scored from behind the three-point line to hold on to a 49-42 advantage with 13:36 to play. Mirambeaux put in a three of his own to stretch Miami's lead back to double-digits at 52-42. The Zips scored six straight points to come within four at 52-48 with under 10 minutes to play. Ipsaro and Mirambeaux each knocked down a jump shot to remain ahead at 56-50.
Elmer put in a shot from beyond the arc with 5:13 on the game clock to make it 61-55. With just over four minutes of action left, Akron made it a two-point game at 61-59. Elmer followed this up by finding Mirambeaux streaking down the lane for a sky hook. Shortly after, Mirambeaux bullied his way down the lane for a layup to take a six-point lead at 65-59.
The Zips tied the game at 68-68 with 13 seconds before the end of regulation. The RedHawks went on to seal a 70-68 victory.