OXFORD, Ohio – The basketball Battle of the Bricks between Ohio and Miami has been rather rather one-sided in recent years, with the Bobcats owning victories over MU in 14 of the last 15 meetings after two Bobcat 2017-18 regular season wins. The most recent Ohio victory came Friday when it spoiled the RedHawks senior night with a nine-point win.
It seemed to be a different Miami team Monday night, however, as MU jumped out to big lead and held off its rival for a 68-55 win on the same Millett Hall court.
With the victory . . . ,
Ohio, meanwhile, saw its record fall to 14-17, 7-11 MAC. It had won four of its last five games in a stretch that started and ended against Miami.
“I wasn’t going to let it happen again if I could help it,” said senior forward Logan McLane, who had a big part in denying Ohio what would have been its third win over MU in two weeks. McLane and junior point guard Darrian Ringo combined their talents during a key second half stretch that allowed to pull away after OU closed to within six points.
It was 50-44 after Dough Taylor’s layup at 8:48. McLane scored on a putback and, following a turnover, took a pass from MAC assist leader Ringo for two more.
The visitors never got closer than eight points the rest of the way, and that was quickly erased on a trey by Isaiah Coleman-Lands off an assist from McLane. Miami lead by 15 after two Ringo charity tosses at 1:05.
Ringo, among the national leaders in assists and a member of the 2017-18 All-MAC Defensive Team, stepped up on the offensive end Monday. His 21 points was a game high. He made 6 of 10 from the field, including several early buckets that helped MU blitz an Ohio team that hit just 24.2 percent from the field before intermission. Miami was up 33-18 at the break,
No small part of the credit for that went to a Miami defense that turned it up a notch or two for one of its best defensive halves of the season.
As if things weren’t going back enough, junior standout Jordan Dartis was injured late in the half and did not return. But the Bobcats came back strong by going to their inside game as the second half unfolded. Ohio reistered three and-one plays within the first three minutes of the second stanza, pulling within 10 at 39-29.
Bouncing back to hit 50 percent after intermission, OU chipped away before Miami closed the door behind McLand and Ringo.
Joining Ringo in double figures were McLane (10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Nike Sibande (13 points, 9 rebounds).
Senior Mike Laster led the way for Ohio with 16 points, followed by Doug Taylor (13 points, 8 rebounds), Doug Gollon (12 points), and Teyvion Kirk (11 points, 9 rebounds).
One of the big factors helping MU reverse Friday’s outcome was its work on the boards. The Bobcats enjoyed a 38-26 rebound advantage Friday and had a big second-chance points edge.
After some intensive weekend practices, MU outrebounded the visitors 36-34 and were a mere two-points behind in second chance points.
Ohio did better in the paint, (33-22), but Miami’s bench provided 20 points to just three for the ‘Cats.
"It wasn't the outcome that we wanted, but I'm just thankful that we all made it as close to one piece as possible through the season with our injuries," said Laster. "I would compare it to playing cards and you just being dealt a bad hand. And, really, just doing what you can and almost winning, actually. And actually not doing as bad as you thought you would once we got our hand. We just played our cards."