MIAMI BASKETBALL

Walz scores 23 as RedHawks waltz past Trolls

Twelve MU playes score; six reach double figures

Eli Yofan launches a trey. (VSmith/MRO)

MRO STAFF 
OXFORD, OH -- Miami (2-0) connected on 68.3 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent on threes as the RedHawks drubbed Trinity Christian (Il) College  129-49 Friday at Millett Hall. 
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Freshman forward Kyle Walz, who played just one minute in Miami's season-opening win over Old Dominion Monday, scored 23 points in 24 minutes against TCC.  He was one of six RedHawks in double figures. 
Senior forward . . . 

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Freshman Kyle Walz missed just one shot from the floor while scoring a game-high 23 points. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . Antwone Woolfolk, normally a starter, did not dress, opening up some time for 6-10 center Tyler Robbins. The freshman responded with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes -- albeit against a smaller Trinity Christian (1-1) lineup. 
"He had some really good moments tonight," Miami Head Coach Travis Steele said. "I think he is a guy that can really emerge for us .... and give us a true inside-outside presence."
Forward Almar Atlason, Miami's only incoming transfer, hit four-of-five 3-point attempts while tallying 15 points in 15 minutes. Eian Elmer (14), Brant Byers (11) and Peter Suder (10) also reached double figures for Miami.
The Trolls, who counted the game as an exhibition on their schedule, were led by Brandon Adorno with 11 points. 
Miami scored the game's first seven points and was up 12-2 when TCC called a time out. However, a 14-3 RedHawks run later in the period gave MU a 31-7 advantage. Two Evan Ipsaro drives late in the half gave the hosts a 59-22 lead at intermission. 
While substituting liberally, Miami continued to dominate, scoring inside and from the perimeter -- in the second half. "We've got to continue to build our depth," Steele said. "It's a long season, as we know. We want to peak at the right time -- in March. 

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Freshman Trey Perry had 11 points, 3 assists and 1 turnover in 17-plus minutes. (MVSmith/MRO)

MORE NOTES.
• The RedHawks won their 17th consecutive home game.
• Eleven different RedHawks made at least one three-pointer. The 70 percent success rate beyond the arc was the fifth-highest in Miami history.
• With 21 threes knocked down, the RedHawks' shooting performance ranks as the third best all-time in Miami program history. 
• The RedHawks posted their second-highest scoring total in program history (141 points vs. Defiance on Dec. 30, 2024). "We still scored 87 and we didn't shoot well (against ODU)," Steele said. "If and when we do shoot well, we're going to be in the 100s almost every night."
• Walz was very efficient in scoring his game-high 23 points, hitting seven of eight field goals overall and three of four treys. He also got to the line for nine shots, sinking six. "Walz had a bigger opportunity tonight than he did ... versus ODU," Steele observed. "I thought he really took advantage of that opportunity." 
• With 51 total boards, Miami topped the 50-rebound mark for the first time since December 2023 vs. Wilberforce.
• Miami recorded 26 assists on the evening. Great shooting teams are great passing teams. ... I think we did a great job of making on-time and on-target passes tonight.
• Miami travels to Air Force next Saturday, Nov. 15 to take on the Falcons. Tip time in Colorado Springs, Colo. is set for 2 p.m. ET.

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