MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks hand Akron first MAC loss

Darweshi Hunter (MVSmith/MRO File)

By MIKE SMITH
The Miami RedHawks put Tuesday's disappointing loss at Central Michigan in the rear view mirror Saturday with a 70-68 upset of previously MAC-undefeated Akron at Millett Hall. 

Miami (10-10, 4-4 MAC) led most of the game, but Akron  (15-5, 7-1 MAC) chipped away and tied the contest at 68-all on a layup by Greg Tribble with 13 seconds left. 

When MU came back the other way, head coach Travis Steele saw Darweshi Hunter with the ball. The 6-5 senior transfer from Northern Illinois had already hit two buzzer beating shots leading to wins this season, so Steele elected to pass on a time out and ride the clutch hand.

His move - or the lack of one -- paid off as Hunter . . .

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. . . came through once again with an 18-foot game-winning jumper. A subsequent full-court inbound pass by Akron was intercepted to officially end the contest. 

Hunter had three fouls in the first half, but stayed out of foul trouble after that. He finished with 13 points and five rebounds in 30 minutes of action. Anderson Mirambeaux led MU with 19 points in 28 minutes, while Eian Elmer (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Evan Ipsaro (10 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists) also reached double figures. 

Ali Ali paced Akron with 23 points, including nine at the free throw line. However, Enrique Freeman, who has been named MAC Player of the Week seven times this season, was the only other Zips player to reach double figures. He registed a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. 

Akron, which had won the last eight meetings against MU, had the hot hand early, scoring its first 15 points from beyond the arc. By that time, UA was up 15-4 as several early RedHawk shots lipped out. Ipsaro finally got Miami rolling with a triple from the corner at 14:08. 

The hosts continued to chip away and finally caught Akron with two Bryce Bultman free throws at 9:09. When Hunter followed with back-to-back treys, Miami was up 29-23 with 6:59 remaining. The lead got as high as 11 points (35-24), and MU took a 41-32 lead to intermission. 

The margin was still 10 points (52-42) with 12:02 remaining, but Akron cut it to six with an 8-2 run. 

Miami maintained a slim edge until Tribble's game-tying layup with 13 seconds left. Hunter followed with his game-winner.

NOTES:
-- The RedHawks travel to Kent State for a Tuesday matchup (7 p.m. ET).
-- Bultman had the team-high nine rebounds against Akron. Elmer was right behind with eight caroms.
-- Cooper recorded a career-high three steals.
-- Both Akron and Miami recorded 11 made field goals and three made treys in the second half. However, UA hit 11 of 15 free throws while the RedHawks connected on 4 of 8.
-- For the game, Akron hit 20 of 25 (80%) charity tosses. Miami made 15 of 22 (68.22%). 
-- MU hit 51.1 percent (24 of 47) from the field overall and 41.2 percent (7 of 17) on treys
Akron was good on 37.3 percent (19 of 51) from the field and 40% (10 of 25) outside the arc. 
-- Rebounds were nearly equal (Miami 33, Akron 32). 
-- The RedHawks outscored UA in the paint 26-12. They also had a 12-6 edge in points off turnovers.