MIAMI BASKETBALL

Miami struggles in the paint as Huskies win

Bryson Bultman speeds downcourt on the break. MU outscored NIU 13-6 on fast breaks. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Zarique Nutter (22) and David Coit (21) combined for 43 points to lead Northern Illinois (8-14, 2-0 MAC) past Miami 11-12, 5-6 MAC) 62-59 Tuesday at Millett Hall.

It was the second straight win for NIU, which lost its first eight MAC outings but has shown signs of turning the corner in recent contests. Miami dropped its second straight after knocking off Akron and Kent State in the week before that.

Unlike Saturday's loss at Ohio, where the Bobcats did most of their damage from the perimeter, NIU  thrived on the boards and in the lane. Northern Illinois out-rebounded MU 45-33 overall. Fifteen of the Huskie caroms were . . . ​

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Eian Elmer drives against Ethan Butler. Elmer was one of three RedHawks with eight points, as well as three with five rebounds. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . on the offensive end, allowing NIU to hold a 19-5 edge in second chance points. 

The visitors also helped their own cause by holding MU's leading scorer Anderson Mirambeaux (13.9 ppg) to three points -- all on free throws. Although nine Miami players scored points, only one reached double figures -- and that was just barely. Freshman center Reece Potter scored 10 points in 16 minutes. He was 3 of 3 from beyond the arc. Eian Elmer, Jaquel Morris and Bryce Bultman all scored eight points.

Miami led 25-15 following a Potter triple at 9:03. However, Northern Illinois, which outscored the hosts 12-0 on second chance points before intermission, fought back and led briefly before two Mekhi Cooper free throws gave MU a 31-30 halftime edge.

It remained a close game early in the second half, with several ties and lead changes. The contest was knotted at 44 when Nutter hit a free throw at 11:01 to put Northern Illinois in front for good.  The Huskie advantage eventually reached eight points on a Coit jumper at 5:54. 

Miami chipped away and pulled within one (60-59) on a pair of free throws by Mirambeaux with 12 seconds left. That dwindled to five seconds after NIU got the ball into the front court before MU could foul. Will Lovings-Watt made both free throws.

Although Miami was able to get the ball across midcourt and called a time out, with one tick left, an inbounds pass was intercepted to seal NIU's win. 

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Jaquel Morris drives against Harvin Ibarguen. Morris scored eight points while playing 10:20. (MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES: 
-- Neither team shot particularly well. Northern Illinois made 22 of 61 (36.1%) overall, while Miami hit 19 of 54 (35.2%). 
-- The RedHawks hit 10 of 27 (37%) threes. NIU made 5 of 22 (22.7%), including 0 for 9 after intermission. 
-- Xavier Amos just missed a double-double for the Huskies, scoing nine points and grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds. 
-- Miami's Bryce Bultman fouled out with 1:06 remaining. 
-- The RedHawks will take a one-game break from MAC play when they travel to Georgia State Saturday (2 p.m. ET). It is part of the MAC vs Sun Belt Challenge. 

Above, Bradley Dean makes an entry pass. Reece Potter, left, led Miami with 10 points. (MVSmith/MRO)