OXFORD, Ohio– Evan Ipsaro totaled a team-high 15 points, while Eian Elmer and Brant Byers each scored 12 points as the Miami University men's basketball team topped Troy 69-62 Saturday afternoon in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
 
The RedHawks jump to 18-5 (9-1 MAC), while Troy falls to 15-9 (8-4 Sun Belt). Tayton Conerway led the Trojans with 20 points.

How it Happened:

• A pair of early threes from Peter Suder and Kam Craft put the RedHawks above the Trojans at 6-0. Numerous layups from the Red and White pushed the score to 12-8. The Trojans took their first lead of the game at 13-12 with 11:32 to play in the first half. A triple from the left corner by Ipsaro and an offensive rebound from Suder that led to a layup tied the score at 17 apiece.
• Troy attempted to pull away at 25-19 before Byers sunk back-to-back shots from behind the three-point line to make it a one-possession game at 29-27. Suder flew down the court during a transition sequence and found Byers below the basket for a two-hand slam dunk to even the score 29-29. Suder ended the half with a layup to send the RedHawks into the intermission with a 32-29 advantage.
• Craft opened the second half with a pair of jumpers, and Elmer knocked down a triple from the top of the three-point line to extend Miami's lead to 39-32. Luke Skaljac came in with about 15 minutes to play and provided a spark offensively, as he scored eight consecutive points for the RedHawks to maintain the lead at 49-38. Troy responded with a run of its own to come within three points at 51-48. Elmer followed this up with a traditional three-point play and a shot from behind the arc to fend off the Trojans at 57-48.
• With just over five minutes of action left, Suder drove down the right side of the lane and absorbed contact for a layup. On the next possession, Suder threw a no-look pass to Byers for another dunk to make it a 61-52 ball game. With Troy in striking distance, Ipsaro and Elmer each buried a three-pointer to take Miami's largest lead of the game at 67-55. The Red and White held off the Trojans, securing a 69-62 victory.

 
Game Notes:

• The RedHawks recorded at least 15 assists for the 10th time this season.
• Miami's bench outscored Troy's bench 35 to 15.
• Miami has now won 18 games for the first time since the 2006-07 season.
• Elmer and Suder each recorded eight rebounds (tied for the most in the game).
• Suder led all players with six assists.

 
Up Next:
The RedHawks host Toledo on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m.