MIAMI BASKETBALL

Threes fail to fall as MU falters at Vermont

By MIKE SMITH
BURLINGTON, VT. -- After trailing by 18 points with 13:16 remaining in the second half, the Miami RedHawks (6-4) pulled within two twice before falling to Vermont (6-7) 75-67 Wednesday at Patrick Gymnasium. 

The RedHawks held several small leads early, with the last being 7-6 at 16:25. Shooting struggles, however, led to MU falling behind by double digits (22-11) after a Shy Odom layup at 9:41. 

No small part of MU's problems came . . . 

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 . . from beyond the arc. After hitting a school record 22 threes in their last outing against Bethel, the 'Hawks made just 1-of-15 threes (6.7%) against Vermont. 

FOUL LINE FACTOR
The Catamounts knocked down 6-of-20 from deep. However, they did more damage at the foul line. Vermont got to the line for 32 tries and made 29 (90.6%). Miami connected on 10-of-14. 

The hosts also took advantage of turnovers in the first half, outscoring MU 10-2 off miscues on the way to a 40-28 lead at intermission. By that point, two Catamount players were already in double figures. TJ Hurley had 16 points at the break and finished with 20. Nick Fiorillo recorded 10 in the first half and added 11 more later for a team-high 21 points. 

Miami, which defeated Vermont on a buzzer-beater three from near the scoring table at Millett last year, began to chip away Wednesday after trailing the hosts 53-35 with 13:16 left.  

TAKING IT INSIDE
Much of the new success came inside. (See the shot chart HERE)
Miami would finish the night with a 50-24 advantage on points in the paint. It also out-scored UV 8-0 on second chance points and gave up just one offensive rebound. 

The other source of points was a Miami full court press that forced several turnovers (steals or violations). 

Peter Suder's layup at 3:17 pulled the RedHawks within two at 64-62. Suder, who tied for game-high honors with 21 points, had a chance to tie things on MU's next trip down the court. However, he missed the front end of a one-and-one. 

After Vermont hit a pair of free throws, Antwone Woolfolk scored on a steal and layup to bring the RedHawks within two once more. However, UV out-scored Miami 9-3 down the stretch for a 75-67 verdict. 

Woolfolk, a junior forward, made 6-of-7 from the field to finish with 12 points and also recorded a team-high seven rebounds. Kam Craft joined Woolfolk and Suder in double figures with 15 points. 

Miami returns to action Sunday when it hosts Sacred Heart (1 p.m. ET) at Millett Hall. 

NOTES:
>> Miami connected on 47.6 percent from the field, while UV made 48.3 percent. However, the RedHawks recorded eight more field goals (28-20). 
Vermont made up the difference with five more treys and 19 more made free throws. 
>> Elmer accounted for MU's only 3-point goal, beating the shot clock with a triple from the corner at 3:12 of the first stanza. 
>> Craft, one of the team's best pure shooters, did not hit a three but was able to drive and finish for 15 points. 
>> Although UV added some free throws down the stretch, it's advantage at the stripe was also fueled by several fouls against its 3-point shooters 
>> The RedHawks have just two more non-conference games. They host Sacred Heart Sunday and Defiance Monday, Dec. 30. MU remains home to open MAC play as Buffalo visits Oxford Saturday, Jan. 4.