DEKALB, Ill. – The Miami University men's basketball team outlasted Northern Illinois 84-69 Tuesday evening to secure its sixth consecutive win. Brant Byers led the RedHawks with 17 points, while four other RedHawks scored in double figures. Miami rises to 12-4 (4-0 MAC) on the season, and the Huskies fall to 4-12 (0-4 MAC).
  
 How it Happened:

• Miami opened the game trailing 7-2 before Antwone Woolfolk scored on three different trips down the floor to come within striking distance at 11-10. Byers entered the game with 14:15 to play and immediately scored a pair of triples to push the RedHawks ahead 16-11. Byers did not stop there, as he went on to knock down two more threes to help Miami hold on to a 26-20 lead.
• Evan Ipsaro held off the Huskies with a shot from behind the arc and added a couple of free throws to make it 31-27. After Northern Illinois reclaimed the advantage at 34-31, Reece Potter found Eian Elmer from deep to even the score at 34 apiece. With the first half coming to an end, Mekhi Cooper sunk a three and then stole the ball for a transition layup to force a Northern Illinois timeout at 41-34. A tough layup from Jackson Kotecki, numerous free throws and an Elmer layup gave the RedHawks a 48-42 halftime lead.
• The Huskies opened the second half by coming within one at 56-55. A Cooper three and Suder jump shot kept Miami ahead 62-55. Layups from Woolfolk and Elmer, along with Byers fifth three of the game, gave Miami its first double-digit lead at 69-57.
• With the score at 71-57, Suder scored the next six points, and Kam Craft added a three to separate from the Huskies 80-67. Ipsaro and Suder closed the game with shots from the free-throw line to secure an 84-69 win.

 
Game Notes:

• Miami shot 84.6% from the free-throw line (22-26).
• The RedHawks outrebounded Northern Illinois 39 to 26.
• Miami shot over 45% from beyond the arc for the sixth time this season.
• The Red and White shot better than 50% from the field for the ninth time this season.
• Miami forced 15 or more turnovers for the ninth time this season.

 
Up Next:
The RedHawks continue conference play on the road by traveling to Kent State Saturday, Jan. 18 at 3 p.m.