FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Miami University men's basketball team edged past Mercer 75-72 Tuesday afternoon to win the Fort Myers Tip-Off Palms Division Championship. All five members of Miami's starting lineup scored in double figures.
Peter Suder led the RedHawks (4-2) with 16 points and
Eian Elmer finished second in scoring with 15 points. Ahmad Robinson led the Bears (3-4) with 19 points.
Suder was named the Fort Myers Tip-Off Palms Division MVP, averaging 17.0 points (60% from the field), five rebounds, 2.5 assists and two steals over the past two days. Suder was joined on the All-Tournament team by Elmer, who averaged 15 points (62.5% from the field), four rebounds, 2.5 steals, 0.5 assists and 0.5 blocks.
How it Happened:
- Several layups gave Miami the early advantage at 8-5. With the Bears leading 12-8, Evan Ipsaro found Eian Elmer in the left corner for a three. Luke Skaljac maneuvered through the paint for a driving layup and Elmer followed this up by putting in his second triple of the day after getting fouled, eventually converting the four-point opportunity to trail 18-17. The Red and White regained the lead at 22-19 after Elmer found Skaljac in the right corner for a three.
- With 10 minutes until the intermission, Kam Craft added to the three-point barrage, stretching the score to 25-19. Antwone Woolfolk scored on back-to-back possessions to fend off the Bears at 29-24. Ipsaro and Suder ended the half with a pair of layups to hold onto a 35-30 lead.
- Mercer opened the second half of play by closing within one at 35-34. The Red and White went on to make seven free throws to claim its first double-digit lead of the contest at 44-34. Elmer hit multiple pull-up jump shots to stay ahead 48-37 with 12 minutes of action left.
- There were eight minutes of competition remaining when Mekhi Cooper hit a wide-open shot from behind the three-point line, as the RedHawks looked to distance themselves from the Bears at 57-47. With 4:30 to go, Mercer made it a one-possession game at 63-60. The RedHawks closed out the final minute by going 6-of-7 from the free-throw line to seal a 75-72 victory.
Game Notes:
- Miami shot 16-of-18 from the free throw line (88.9%)
- The Red and White went 27-of-53 from the field (50.9%)
- Suder led all RedHawks with four steals.
- Craft recorded a career-high two blocks.
Up Next:
The RedHawks return home to take on the Air Force Falcons on Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.
