MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks knock off Sunbelt foe for win No. 18

Evan Ipsaro led Miami with 15 points. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Evan Ipsaro (15) and Brant Byers (12) combined for 27 points off the bench to lead Miami (18-5, 9-1 MAC) past Troy (15-9, 8-4 SBC) 69-62 Saturday at Millett Hall. 
It was the fourth consecutive victory for MU, which has won 12 of its last 13 contests. The Trojans, meanwhile, dropped their second straight after four wins. 
Miami sophomore forward Eian Elmer added 12 points with . . . 

---

. . . eight rebounds, while Peter Suder and Kam Craft were just short of double figures with nine points apiece.

Senior guard Tayton Conerway led all scorers with 20 points. Thomas Dowd (13 points, 8 rebounds) was the only other Trojan player in double figures. 

Brant Byers recorded 12 points. (MVSmith/MRO)

Both teams held leads early, and Troy was in front 26-21 with 3:52 remaining in the first period. Byers scored Miami's next eight points  (2 treys and a dunk) as the hosts forged a 29-all tie. MU then added three more points for a 32-29 halftime edge. 

The RedHawk lead reached 11 points (49-38) when Luke Skaljac knocked down a triple with 13:35 to play in the second period.

Troy chipped away, pulling within three on a triple by Victor Valdes at 8:42. However, Elmore then scored six straight for Miami.

The Trojans subsequently got as close as five points on two occasions, but MU responded each time and an Elmer trey at 1:48 gave the hosts an insurmountable 12-point edge. 
​
The RedHawks return to Mid-American Conference play Tuesday (7 p.m.) when they host Toledo. As usual, the Rockets (8-2 MAC, 15-8 overall) are among the MAC leaders, sitting just one game behind Miami

---

Peter Suder drives the baseline for a first half shot. (MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES: 
• Miami has now won 18 games for the first time since the 2006-07 season.
• Elmer and Suder each recorded eight rebounds (tied for the most in the game). Suder also led all players with six assists. 
• Center Reece Potter did not play for the second consecutive contest. In his post-game comments, head coach Travis Steele said he is hopeful about getting Potter back for Tuesday's Toledo matchup.
• Troy went 6 of 23 on 3-point tries overall. It was 2 of 10 after intermission. 
• Miami finished with 18 turnovers, in part, due to the Trojan's press -- especially in the second half. However, the RedHawks nontheless outscored Troy 22-13 in points off turnovers for the day. 
• MU shot a total  of 14 free throws, connecting on nine (64.3%) . Ipsaro went 7 of 10 at the stripe. Three other players went a combined 2 for 4. 

---