​MIAMI BASKETBALL

MIAMI BASKETBALL

2/25/2023

RedHawks knock off Ohio for third straight win

Remain in hunt for MAC tourney spot

Morgan Safford goes in for a second half dunk. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Make it three straight!
The Miami RedHawks continued their late season surge Saturday with an 85-68 win over rival Ohio at Millett Hall.

Miami's most recent Battle of the Bricks men's basketball victory was back in February of 2019. However, the duo of senior Mekhi Lairy and junior Morgan Safford combined for 50 points as the RedHawks (5-11 MAC, 11-18 overall) broke Ohio's six-game winning streak.

The Bobcats (9-7 MAC, 17-12 overall) are already guaranteed a position in the upcoming MAC tourney's eight-team field. Miami, however, is still chasing the final spot.

With Central Michigan's loss to . . .

Anderson Mirambeaux scores two of Miami's 40 points in the paint. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan's win over Ball State Saturday, the RedHawks have pulled into an eighth place tie. However, CMU defeated Miami in both meetings this season. EMU also defeated Miami in their only meeting. The RedHawks have two more games remaining -- both on the road (Western Michigan, Buffalo).

"We're playing our best basketball of the year," said Miami Head Coach Travis Steele, who is particularly happy about his team's defensive effort. "Defensively, we've really done a 180 (over) the last three games."

"Ohio U. is as good an offensive team as there is in our league, and to hold them to 68 points," he said. "I thought our guys just gave multiple efforts."

Ohio entered the game third among MAC teams in field goal percentage, connecting on 45.9 percent from the field overall. The Bobcats hit 24-of-63 (38.1%) against Miami.

Joining Lairy (26 points) and Safford (24 points) in double figures for Miami was forward Anderson Mirambeaux, who scored 13 points and registered a team-high seven rebounds. Kamari Williams chipped in nine points and seven boards while coming off the bench to play 30 minutes.

Senior Mekhi Lairy scored 26 points in his final home game. (MVSmith/MRO)

"He was terrific," Steele said of his senior point guard. "I was happy for him. I know its been a while since he's beaten OU."

Junior guard Jaylin Hunter and senior forward Dwight Wilson III topped the 'Cats with 19 apiece. Miles Brown added nine points.

The one area in which Miami struggled against Ohio was in turnovers, with the RedHawks committing 21. However, the Bobcats -- who had just 10 turnovers -- were only able to match MU's 18 points off turnovers.

Miami owned a 36-25 advantage in rebounds and 13-10 edge on second chance points. The RedHawks also connected on a scorching 60.8 percent from the field on the day. That included 65.2 percent (15-of-23) after intermission.

Neither team led by more than six points in the first stanza and MU was up 40-38 at the break. Ohio was still within four (62-58) following Hunter triple at 7:55 of the second half. Miami then scored six straight points.

A pair of free throws by Lairy at 3:12 put the hosts in front 76-65, and Miami expanded the advantage to 20 points before finishing with an 85-68 final.

Jaquel Morris gets a hand on one of his two blocked shots. (MVSmith/MRO)

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Editor-Publisher Mike Smith

Mike grew up in Mid-American Conference football and basketball territory and returned there after military service. He has been covering MAC football and men's basketball for much of the last several decades.
It's a toss-up as to whether he enjoys writing or photography best. No matter, though, because the goal is to inform and entertain readers through both.