Miami 65, Western Michigan 56
RedHawks hold off WMU challenge
By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Delonte Brown and Mekhi Lairy combined for 31 points to lead the Miami RedHawks over Western Michigan 65-56 Saturday at Millett Hall.
It was a bounce-back victory for MU, which fell to league leader Toledo Tuesday after three straight wins. The RedHawks . . .
. . . are now 5-3 MAC and 8-5 overall. Western Michigan, meanwhile, fought hard before absorbing its seventh straight loss. The Broncos are now 1-7 in MAC play and 2-11 for the campaign.
Miami trailed just once - after an opening basket by Jason Whitens -- and led 25-21 after a first half in which both teams struggled offensively. The RedHawks managed to widen their lead to 13 points after Noah Etzler's triple at 13:18 of the final stanza. However, WMU chipped away and pulled within four (46-42) after Greg Lee scored with a jumper at 9:35.
Lee was a key factor in Western Michigan's second half effort. After tallying just two points before intermission, he scored 18 second half points.
The visitors were again within four (52-48) after another Lee basket at 6:15, but James Beck hit a free throw and Brown drained a trey to kick start a 9-2 Miami run that sealed the RedHawks victory.
Overall, Miami connected on 21-of-53 (39.6%) from the field but just 5-of-19 (26.3%) on treys. Western Michigan, meanwhile, was even lower on treys (3-of-19, 15.8%) but better from the field. The Broncos tallied four more field goals, hitting 25-of-60 (41.7%).
Free throws weighed heavily, with MU sinking 18-of-23 (78.3%) to Western Michigan's 3-of-5 (60%).
NOTES:
>> WMU owned a 32-16 advantage over Miami in points in the paint. The Broncos also helped themselves, committing seven turnovers to MU's 10.
>> Miami out-rebounded the visitors 40-32 and owned a 12-4 edge in second chance points.
>> In addition to his 20 points, Lee grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
>> Joining Lee in double figures for Western Michigan were B. Artis White and Daylan Hamilton with 10 points each.
>> James Beck came off the bench for MU and just missed a double double with nine points and nine rebounds.
Miami trailed just once - after an opening basket by Jason Whitens -- and led 25-21 after a first half in which both teams struggled offensively. The RedHawks managed to widen their lead to 13 points after Noah Etzler's triple at 13:18 of the final stanza. However, WMU chipped away and pulled within four (46-42) after Greg Lee scored with a jumper at 9:35.
Lee was a key factor in Western Michigan's second half effort. After tallying just two points before intermission, he scored 18 second half points.
The visitors were again within four (52-48) after another Lee basket at 6:15, but James Beck hit a free throw and Brown drained a trey to kick start a 9-2 Miami run that sealed the RedHawks victory.
Overall, Miami connected on 21-of-53 (39.6%) from the field but just 5-of-19 (26.3%) on treys. Western Michigan, meanwhile, was even lower on treys (3-of-19, 15.8%) but better from the field. The Broncos tallied four more field goals, hitting 25-of-60 (41.7%).
Free throws weighed heavily, with MU sinking 18-of-23 (78.3%) to Western Michigan's 3-of-5 (60%).
NOTES:
>> WMU owned a 32-16 advantage over Miami in points in the paint. The Broncos also helped themselves, committing seven turnovers to MU's 10.
>> Miami out-rebounded the visitors 40-32 and owned a 12-4 edge in second chance points.
>> In addition to his 20 points, Lee grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
>> Joining Lee in double figures for Western Michigan were B. Artis White and Daylan Hamilton with 10 points each.
>> James Beck came off the bench for MU and just missed a double double with nine points and nine rebounds.
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