Miami's Precious Ayah battles WSU senior guard Grant Benzinger for a first half rebound (MVSmith/MRO) By MIKE SMITH
Many Miami RedHawk basketball fans got their first look at new head coach Jack Owens and his 2017-18 squad Tuesday at Millett Hall. There was quite a bit to enjoy as the new-look RedHawks kept up their flare for drama with a 73-67 overtime win over area rival Wright State.
It was the second win in as many outings for MU, which rallied late to drop Fordham 55-54 on the road last Friday.
Miami actually rallied late twice against Wright State, overtaking the Raiders at the end of the first half for a 37-33 lead and then coming back from an eight-point . . .
Many Miami RedHawk basketball fans got their first look at new head coach Jack Owens and his 2017-18 squad Tuesday at Millett Hall. There was quite a bit to enjoy as the new-look RedHawks kept up their flare for drama with a 73-67 overtime win over area rival Wright State.
It was the second win in as many outings for MU, which rallied late to drop Fordham 55-54 on the road last Friday.
Miami actually rallied late twice against Wright State, overtaking the Raiders at the end of the first half for a 37-33 lead and then coming back from an eight-point . . .
. . . deficit with 3:48 remaining to force overtime with a 63-all regulation deadlock. Senior Rod Mills and freshman Nike Sebande got the critical 10-2 Miami run going with a pair of treys. The duo then combined for eight of MU’s overtime points as the RedHawks outscored WSU 10-4 in the extra period.
Sebande led all scorers with 17 points, hitting 5 of 13 from the field and 4 of 8 3-point attempts. Mills notched all nine of his points off his three late treys.
“I hadn’t made any shots up to that time, but I (have) put a lot of work in, so I knew shots were going to fall (at some point). It was good to see that go in,” Mills said.
Wright State grabbed an early lead, but the hosts ran off seven straight points to go up 9-6. Each team had the upper hand at various points and there were seven ties over the first half. Miami’s 7-1 burst to close the period gave it a 37-33 advantage.
Sebande led all scorers with 17 points, hitting 5 of 13 from the field and 4 of 8 3-point attempts. Mills notched all nine of his points off his three late treys.
“I hadn’t made any shots up to that time, but I (have) put a lot of work in, so I knew shots were going to fall (at some point). It was good to see that go in,” Mills said.
Wright State grabbed an early lead, but the hosts ran off seven straight points to go up 9-6. Each team had the upper hand at various points and there were seven ties over the first half. Miami’s 7-1 burst to close the period gave it a 37-33 advantage.
Isaiah Coleman-Lands drives against Wright State's Justin Mitchell. (MVSmith/MRO)
Darrian Ringo saves a ball from going out of bounds. Ringo had 10 points, 10 assists and three steals while committing just two turnovers. (MVSmith/MRO) Grant Benzinger scored the first five points after intermission to put the visitors up 38-37, but Bam Bowman hit a three to put MU back in front again.
Unlike at Fordham, the RedHawks were outrebounded by Wright State 45-35. However, success from beyond the arc helped offset the board deficit. Miami made 12 of 29 (41.4%) of its 3-point attempts, while the Raiders were good on just 3 of 15 (33.3%).
MU also committed just 10 turnovers to 17 by the visitors. Darrian Ringo recorded three steals for Miami, adding to a double-double night of 10 points and 10 assists with just two turnovers in 32 minutes of play.
“We start practice every day doing defensive stuff, and (coach Owens) really pushes on defense a lot,” Ringo said.
While he was just 3 of 10 from the floor,” the junior made all four of his free throws, including two that sent the game into overtime. “I just tuned everybody out, and I just knew I was going to . . . knock ‘em down,” he said.
Miami had a six-point second half lead before Wright State took advantage of some cold RedHawks shooting, MU managed just three points – all on a Sibande three point play – over the next six minutes. Wright State, however, tallied 12 points take a lead that later reached eight at 61-53.
Unlike at Fordham, the RedHawks were outrebounded by Wright State 45-35. However, success from beyond the arc helped offset the board deficit. Miami made 12 of 29 (41.4%) of its 3-point attempts, while the Raiders were good on just 3 of 15 (33.3%).
MU also committed just 10 turnovers to 17 by the visitors. Darrian Ringo recorded three steals for Miami, adding to a double-double night of 10 points and 10 assists with just two turnovers in 32 minutes of play.
“We start practice every day doing defensive stuff, and (coach Owens) really pushes on defense a lot,” Ringo said.
While he was just 3 of 10 from the floor,” the junior made all four of his free throws, including two that sent the game into overtime. “I just tuned everybody out, and I just knew I was going to . . . knock ‘em down,” he said.
Miami had a six-point second half lead before Wright State took advantage of some cold RedHawks shooting, MU managed just three points – all on a Sibande three point play – over the next six minutes. Wright State, however, tallied 12 points take a lead that later reached eight at 61-53.
Rodd Mills gets off one of three treys that found the mark late in Miami's win over Wright State. (MVSmith/MRO) Miami tied things with its 10-2 run and quickly jumped in front in the extra period. Just three field goals were made – all 3-point shots within the first minute. Mills made two for Miami, while Benzinger tied things (63-63) for the 10th time on the night with his own triple.
The RedHawks finished by making 4 of 6 free throws, while Wright State hit 1 of 2 chances from the stripe.
“Today, we just battled and scraped it out. It was a hard-fought game,” Mills said. “Everyone did their role, and played their part. We were resilient, and that is something coach preaches every day in practice.”
Wright State put four players in double figures. Mark Hughes led the way with 14, followed by center Loudon Love (13 points, 12 rebounds, Benzinger (10 points) and Everett Winchester (10 points).
Miami hits the road in a long way this week as it participates in the Jamaica Classic at Montego Bay.
The RedHawks finished by making 4 of 6 free throws, while Wright State hit 1 of 2 chances from the stripe.
“Today, we just battled and scraped it out. It was a hard-fought game,” Mills said. “Everyone did their role, and played their part. We were resilient, and that is something coach preaches every day in practice.”
Wright State put four players in double figures. Mark Hughes led the way with 14, followed by center Loudon Love (13 points, 12 rebounds, Benzinger (10 points) and Everett Winchester (10 points).
Miami hits the road in a long way this week as it participates in the Jamaica Classic at Montego Bay.
The RedHawks meet LIU Brooklyn Friday (8:30 p.m. ET), followed by a Sunday tilt against Hartford (10 p.m. ET). They’ll have two more road games after that and finally play on the Oxford hardwood again Nov. 29 against Midway.
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