OXFORD, Oh -- Nike Sibande scored 25 points as the Miami RedHawks picked up their first Mid-American Conference victory Tuesday, handing Kent State its first MAC loss in the process.
MU's 77-74 win broke . . .
The RedHawks jumped in front early and ultimately led for nearly 38 minutes. Miami's largest lead was 17 points after a Sibande layup at 17:52 of the second half. The hosts still led by 16 at the 14:44 mark, but Kent State finally found its shooting touch and made a run.
After shooting just 33.3 percent from the field in before intermission, the Flashes hit 60.7 percent over the final 20 minutes. Even better, they knocked down 64.7 percent (11/17) of their threes in the final stanza to accelerate KSU's comeback bid.
By the 11:51 mark, Miami's lead was down to seven points at 49-42. KSU continued to chip away and pulled to within one point, 51-50 with 10:31 to go following a Peterson trey.
It was nip-and-tuck after that, with the largest lead being six points. Buffalo finally moved in front 62-61 after a Troy Simons triple at 4:16.
The teams traded leads twice and were tied three times before MU went back in front for good (73-71) on a Sibande bucket with 59 seconds left.
The RedHawks, who have at times been streaky at the foul line, made two of four charity tosses to go up four, but Danny Pippin's and-one-three again moved KSU within one point at 75-74 with 11 seconds remaining.
The RedHawks then commited a huge turnover, throwing the ball away on an inbound. Kent State's golden opportunity, however, fell by the wayside when Antonio Williams was whistled for an offensive foul seconds later.
Buffalo was forced to foul after Miami got the ball in and Mekhi Lairy rolled in two super bonus free throws. A final Flashes 3-point heave was well off the mark.
In addition to Sibande's double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds, MU put three other players in double figures. Bam Bowman, Dae Dae Grant and Isaiah Coleman Lands each scored 11 points
Simons paced KSU with 24 points,followed by Anthony Roberts (19), and Pippin (12).
NOTES:
>> Miami outscored the Flashes in points off turnovers 22-8 and had a 24-20 edge from points in the paint.
>> MU hit 50 percent of its shots from the field in each half. Like Kent State, it had a good second half from deep. The RedHawks made 54.4 percent from outside the arc after intermission and just 28.6 percent before the break.
>> Rebounds were nearly equal, with MU edging the visitors 33-32.