Cleaning up is typically the last thing people want to do when they come back from a long trip. That, however, is what Miami basketball coach Jack Owens knew was necessary. The “cleanup sessions” seemed to pay off Wednesday when MU mangled Midway University 123-40 at Millett Hall.
“We had so many things that . . .
“I told the staff (upon return) it was Cleanup Day. ... There’s a lot of things that we had to clean up, and we were able to do that.”
Owens noted his squad had a particularly good practice Tuesday. “The guys had some life. They were excited to get home and play.”
Midway is an NAIA school in its second year of a men’s basketball program, the Eagles came into Thursday with 4-3 record. By halftime, it was evident Midway was overmatched. Miami led 55-22 at the break and outscored Midway 68-18 the rest of the way despite eventually emptying the bench.
There was, in fact, a whole lot of "sharing" going on. The RedHawks totaled 34 assists on 48 field goals – a nice compliment to the 64.0 percent they shot from the field and 51.5 percent from beyond the arc.
The RedHawks put five players in double figures, led by freshman Jalen Adaway, who hit 10 of 12 shots from the field on the way to 22 points.
Senior Jake Wright poured in 20 points while hitting 6 of 14 3-point tries and Nike Sibande connected on 7 of 9 shots, including 3 of 5 treys, while contributing 19 points.
“It was a great team effort,” Owens said. Guys played it the right way, so it was good to see.”
Junior forward Jose Bustamante and freshman forward Kwon Evans led Midway with eight points apiece.
NEXT: Miami hits the road for two games, starting Saturday at Western Illinois (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). The RedHawks will be at Missouri on Tuesday and return home to face Fort Wayne Dec. 9.
>> Several school records fell in Wednesday’s game
-- The 123 points scored by MU is the most in program history, surpassing the previous mark of 114 set against Findlay in 1974.
-- The 83-point margin of victory is a new high, blowing away the previous mark of 57 set against Wright Field (83-32) back in 1947.
-- The 34 assists betters the previous mrk of 31 (vs Ball State, 1986 and Ohio, 1977).
-- The 17 3-pointers edges out 16 against Ball State in 2011.
-- The 48 field goals ties a record set against Findlay in 1974 and Ball State in 1964.
>> Miami owned a 58-28 rebound advantage.
>> Midway was held to 14 of 67 (20.9%) from the field overall and 4 of 28 (14.3%) on threes. They did make 8 of 10 free throws (80%), while Miami connected on 10 of 17 (58.8%).