MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawk Convo struggles continue 

Clayton-led Bobcats even season series with Miami

By MIKE SMITH
​ATHENS, OH -- AJ Clayton missed his team's loss to Miami in Oxford. He was back in the lineup Saturday, and his efforts helped put Ohio (16-13, (10-6 MAC) back in the win column. Clayton hit 8 of 12 shots while scoring 20 points as the Bobcats beat Miami 75-66 at the Convocation Center.
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The RedHawks (21-6, 12-4 MAC) haven't won at the Convo since 2011. After leading 23-22 with 9:09 left in the first period, they spent the rest of the day playing catch-up. 

The hosts led 40-33 at intermission. Their biggest lead was 12 points (52-40) at 16:36 of the second stanza. 

The RedHawks began to . . . 

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. . . chip away later in the period and were within four (70-66) at 3:15.  However, they would not score another point. Ohio added five more for a nine-point win. 

It was a bounce-back win for the 'Cats who fell at Western Michigan Tuesday. Ohio has won three of its last four and holds down third place in the MAC standings with one week left to play. Miami dropped its third straight road game, but it remains in second place with a two-game lead on Ohio in third. 

Senior Vic Searls, a 6-9 forward scored 13 points and gravved second rebounds for the Bobcats. Elmore James recorded 12 points and Shereef Mitchell added 11. AJ Brown, a sophomore guard averaging 13.4 ppg, produced eight points in just nine minutes before injuring a shoulder. He did not return. 
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Forward Antwone Woolfolk led RedHawk scoring with16 points. Peter Suder contributed 15 points, a team-best nine rebounds and three steals. Kam Craft (12) and Eian Elmore (10) also reached double figures. 

NOTES: 
• The RedHawks committed 17 turnovers and were outscored on turnovers 17-10.
• Ohio had a 42-30 advantage from points in the paint. 
• Miami connected on 43 percent from the field, while the Bobcats hit 51 percent. 
• The RedHawks are at Buffalo Tuesday. Although the Bulls have struggled mightily, they upset Toledo 87-74 Saturday in Buffalo. The home finale is Friday against Ball State (6 p.m.).