​MIAMI BASKETBALL

MU runs win streak to seven with second half rally

By MIKE SMITH
KENT, OH  -- Stymied by a stubborn Flashes defense in the first half, Miami (13-5, 5-0 MAC) stormed back after intermission to defeat Kent State (11-6, 2-3 MAC) 70-61 Saturday at the M.A.C. Center. 

It was the seventh straight win for MU, which is tied with Akron atop the Mid-American Conference standings. Both schools are now 5-0 in MAC competition. Kent State, meanwhile, dropped its third home game in as many contests. 

The Flashes . . . 

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. . . surrendered 94 points in a (94-83) loss to Western Michigan Tuesday but held Miami -- one of the MAC's top offenses -- to just 32 first half points Saturday. KSU, meanwhile, scored 41 points before intermission. 

That nine-point advantage disappeared in just over four minutes as Miami opened the second stanza with a 13-2 run. Eian's Elmer's fastbreak layup put the RedHawks in front 45-43. Kent State briefly regained the edge on a triple by Jalen Sullinger, but Antwone Woolfolk responded with a bucket at the other end to move the visitors in front for good. 

With KSU managing just 20 points in the second half, Miami eventually built up a 12-point lead with 2:16 remaining. Mekhi Cooper scored nine of the RedHawks final 14 points as they won by nine. 

Brant Byers (15 points) led Miami for the second consecutive game. Elmer scored 10 of his 15 points in the first half, while Cooper tallied all 12 of his points after intermission. Woolfolk also reached double figures with 10 points. 

Four Flashes also reached double figures. Cian Medley led the way with 15 points, followed by Jalen Sullinger (11), Cli'Ron Hornbeak (10) and Delrecco Gillespie. (10). The latter did much of his damage from close range, scoring eight points in the final six minutes of the opening stanza. 

A couple of the top scorers for each team struggled in the matchup. Kent State forward VonCameron Davis (16.0 ppg average) was held to five points. Miami's Kam Craft (16.1 ppg average) finished with three points -- all at the foul line. He was 0 for 5 from the field (all 3-point attempts). 

NOTES: 
• Miami returns home Tuesday to host Bowling Green (7-10, 2-3 MAC). Kent State faces a tough week on the road, traveling to both Toledo (Tuesday) and Ohio (Friday).
• The seven straight wins is Miami's longest win streak since 2005-06.
• Both teams recorded 23 field goals. However, MU shot 48.9 percent (23 of 47), while Kent State was 23 of 60 (38.3%).
• Miami registered 15 turnovers to just five by KSU. The Flashes owned a 16-11 edge in points off turnovers. KSU recorded nine steals on the day. Miami had two. 
• Kent State's offense thrived inside, with the Flashes scoring 38 of their 61 points in the paint. MU tallied 28 in the paint.