KENT, Ohio— The Miami University men's basketball team defeated Kent State 71-67 Tuesday night.
Darweshi Hunter led the RedHawks (11-10, 5-4 MAC) with 20 points, while
Bryce Bultman scored 12 and
Eian Elmer added 10. Jalen Sullinger led the Golden Flashes (10-11, 3-6 MAC) offensively with 16 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Miami opened the contest by grabbing a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. Bultman knocked down back-to-back fading jump shots to stretch the advantage to 11-2. Kent State closed within three points at 11-8 before Elmer scored a transition layup and pull-up three. Miami took its first double-digit lead at 18-8 thanks to a pair of free throws from Hunter with 13:47 left in the half.
- Reece Potter and Elmer drained shots from beyond the arc to make it 29-16 with nine minutes remaining before intermission. The Red and White used a collection of layups to enter halftime with a 39-24 advantage.
- Hunter opened the second half with a step-back jumper from the free-throw line. Mekhi Cooper flew through the lane for a layup to lead 46-35 with 13:16 remaining in the game. Elmer found Morris in the middle of the lane for a layup to stay ahead by double-figures at 48-37. Evan Ipsaro drove down the lane and dished the ball to Anderson Mirambeaux for a layup to make it a 54-46 ballgame with 7:54 to play.
- The Golden Flashes made it a five-point game before Bultman scored a fading jumper, and Cooper added a floater to lead 58-49. With 3:42 on the game clock, Kent State closed within three at 58-55. On the following Kent State possession, Ipsaro took a critical charge to get the ball back. Hunter went on to bury a triple to stretch Miami's lead to 61-55 with less than three minutes to play. A Mirambeaux layup and two free throws from Ipsaro put the score at 65-58 with just over a minute remaining. Hunter sealed the game with four clutch free throws in the final minute to secure a 71-67 Miami victory.
GAME NOTES:
- Jaquel Morris matched his career high with 10 rebounds.
- Elmer recorded a game-high three steals.
- Miami secured its first win at Kent State since 2014.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The RedHawks travel to Ohio for the Battle of the Bricks on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m.
