Miami found points tough to come by, but Dalonte Brown led all scorers with 17 points. (MVSmith/MRO) By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, Ohio -- Eastern Michigan's signature zone defense is a tough enough challenge for those who have experienced it. Insert a young opponent who has never faced the Eagles and ... well, you could get something like what happened Saturday at Millett Hall. Eastern Michigan applied a double-dose of its zone and left Oxford with a 58-48 win over the Miami RedHawks.
The first dose of zone . . .
OXFORD, Ohio -- Eastern Michigan's signature zone defense is a tough enough challenge for those who have experienced it. Insert a young opponent who has never faced the Eagles and ... well, you could get something like what happened Saturday at Millett Hall. Eastern Michigan applied a double-dose of its zone and left Oxford with a 58-48 win over the Miami RedHawks.
The first dose of zone . . .
Tim Bond blocks a fastbreak layup attempt by Darrian Ringo. The Eagles lead the conference with 41 more blocks than the next team. They average 6.05 blocks per game and had six against Miami. (MVSmith/MRO) . . . held MU to 36.7 percent over the first half. Miami survived that as Darrian Ringo beat the horn with a three to give the hosts a 30-29 lead at the break.
That field goal, however, would be Miami's last for the next eight minutes of action as EMU applied an even stronger dose of defense. Eastern (12-9, 3-5 MAC) turned it up another notch or two after intermission, and the RedHawks offense struggled mightily.
Their "zone is something we've never seen before," Miami head coach Jack Owens said. "We tried to show it in practice but its hard to show 6-2, 6-7, 6-9, 6-9 and 6-10 across the board. ... We didn't do the things that we worked on that I thought could have hurt them -- for whatever reason.
That field goal, however, would be Miami's last for the next eight minutes of action as EMU applied an even stronger dose of defense. Eastern (12-9, 3-5 MAC) turned it up another notch or two after intermission, and the RedHawks offense struggled mightily.
Their "zone is something we've never seen before," Miami head coach Jack Owens said. "We tried to show it in practice but its hard to show 6-2, 6-7, 6-9, 6-9 and 6-10 across the board. ... We didn't do the things that we worked on that I thought could have hurt them -- for whatever reason.
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James Thompson IV posted his 14th double-double of the season and 53rd of his career. (MVSmith/MRO) Nike Sibande hit two free throws to open the second staza, but Miami (11-10, 4-4 MAC) would not score again until Isaiah Coleman-Lands hit a trey at 12:02. In between, Eastern ran off 13 straight points to establish a 10-point lead. Elijah Minnie started the run with a dunk and closed it with a tip-in. Tim Bond contributed five points along the way.
Miami then managed its lone second half run to close the gap. Logan McLane started the burst with a short jumper. Sibande and Dalonte Brown followed with treys to bring the hosts within two at 45-43.
Miami then managed its lone second half run to close the gap. Logan McLane started the burst with a short jumper. Sibande and Dalonte Brown followed with treys to bring the hosts within two at 45-43.
Nike Sibande drives during second half action. The freshman had 10 points on the day. (MVSmith/MRO) Although over eight minutes remained, Miami would manage just five more points. Sibande's layup at 1:39 pulled the RedHawks within three (50-47), but Minnie hit a three from the corner and followed with a dunk to begin an 8-1 Eastern Michigan run to end the contest.
"That was a huge shot," Owens said of the trey. "Give Eastern Michigan credit, they made a big shot to make it a two-possession game."
Over the second half, MU totaled 18 points. Eastern Michigan held the RedHawks to 23.1 percent from the floor after intermission and 30.4 percent for the game. It was the second time this season that EMU has held an opponent to under 50 points.
The Eagles, meanwhile, connected on 52.2 percent from the floor in the second period and 49.0 percent overall. Much of the visitors damage came inside, where they held a 32-12 advantage on points in the paint. EMU also held a 21-9 advantage in points off the bench.
"That was a huge shot," Owens said of the trey. "Give Eastern Michigan credit, they made a big shot to make it a two-possession game."
Over the second half, MU totaled 18 points. Eastern Michigan held the RedHawks to 23.1 percent from the floor after intermission and 30.4 percent for the game. It was the second time this season that EMU has held an opponent to under 50 points.
The Eagles, meanwhile, connected on 52.2 percent from the floor in the second period and 49.0 percent overall. Much of the visitors damage came inside, where they held a 32-12 advantage on points in the paint. EMU also held a 21-9 advantage in points off the bench.
Paul Jackson led EMU with 15 points (MVSmith/MRO) Paul Jackson led Eastern with 15 points. James Thompson IV was hot early in the contest and finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds. It was his 14th double-double of the season and 53rd of his EMU career. Minnie came off the bench to score 12 points, grab five rebounds and register two blocks. The Eagles totaled six blocks on the day, while Miami had none.
"I don't think anyone in our league has a zone like that. They are so long," Owens said. "We'll work at it, and we'll get better. ... It was definitely a learning experience."
Dalonte Brown hit 6 of 9 from the field, 2 of 2 from deep and 3 of 4 at the line on the way to 17 points. Sibande notched 10 points. Jalen Adaway (8) and Bam Bowman (7) led MU rebounders.
NEXT:
Eastern Michigan hosts Western Michigan Tuesday. Miami is home against Akron. Both games start at 7 p.m.
"I don't think anyone in our league has a zone like that. They are so long," Owens said. "We'll work at it, and we'll get better. ... It was definitely a learning experience."
Dalonte Brown hit 6 of 9 from the field, 2 of 2 from deep and 3 of 4 at the line on the way to 17 points. Sibande notched 10 points. Jalen Adaway (8) and Bam Bowman (7) led MU rebounders.
NEXT:
Eastern Michigan hosts Western Michigan Tuesday. Miami is home against Akron. Both games start at 7 p.m.
Logan McLane works for a shot as James Thompson IV and Ty Groce defend on the play. (MVSmith/MRO)
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