MAC TOURNAMENT BASKETBALL

Depth pays off again as Miami downs Eagles

RedHawks to face Kent State Friday 

By MIKE SMITH
CLEVELAND, OH  -- In a game where so many stats reflected a close and fierce battle, three stats stood out in illuminating the Miami RedHawks, who edged Eastern Michigan 81-75 Thursday in Mid-American Conference Men's Basketball Tournament action at Rocket Arena. 
It was MU's fourth straight win, but more importantly the program's first MAC tourney win in 15 years. The RedHawks now advance to face No. 5 seed Kent State Friday (7:30 p.m., CBSSN). The Flashes knocked off Western Michigan 73-66 in Thursday's final matchup. 

There were 12 ties and 12 leads gained by . . . 

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. . .  each team in the RedHawks vs Eagles battle.  What ultimately separated the two?

• As usual, MU drew on its deep -- and productive -- bench. The RedHawks bench outscored EMU's bench 35-8. including 21-2 in the second half. 
• Miami out-rebounded the Eagles 45-32.
• While Eastern Michigan made 7 of 11 free throws on the day, MU capitalized on 19 of 29. 

The RedHawks jumped out an early 12-3 lead, with Kam Craft (8) and Antwone Woolfolk (4) providing the entire dozen. However, EMU senior guard Jalen Terry began to find the mark from long range, and Eastern Michigan reached intemission in a 29-29 tie. Terry went 5 of 7 from beyond the arc, leading all scorers before the break with 15 points. 

Neither team could get any separation until late in the second period. The teams were tied at 59 when Miami went on a 15-2 run. Three sizzling assists -- two by Peter Suder and one  by Evan Ipsaro -- led to seven of the points. Craft drained a pair of triples for six more. 

Suder, who missed considerable practice after getting injured early in the regular season win over Ball State, scored seven points on the day. However, he registered a double-double of 10 rebounds and 10 assists (along with two blocks). Ipsaro had three assists to go with 14 points over 22 minutes on the court. 

Craft, meanwhile, put together a solid all-around performance. In addition to his team-high 24 points, he also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out two assists while playing a turnover-free 29 minutes. 

Potter's slam with 3:21 remaining gave the 'Hawks a 74-61 advantage, but MU would not score another field goal. Eastern Michigan pressure forced several  turnovers and MU hit just six of 12 free throws down the stretch. Still, the Eagles could get no closer than six points (twice). 

NOTES:
• Christian Henry (24), Terry 21 and De'Sean Nelson (17) topped EMU scorers. 
• Craft hit 6 of 10 3-point tries and 9 of 13 shots from the field overall. He did not shoot a free throw. 
• Suder, arguably Miami's most experienced player, managed put play 34 minutes despite his recent injury. Normally one of the better MU shooters, he was 1 of 10 from the field against EMU. However, he grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. 
• Ipsaro (14 points) hit 8 of 12 at the foul line.
• Reece Potter missed much of the non-conference schedule recovering from injury. However, the 7-1 sophomore has shown improvement in his sophomore campaign and contributed 15 points and eight caroms in Thursday's win-or-go-home victory.