MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks nip Flashes in OT for 20th win

Reece Potter gets off a second half shot. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- It didn't come easy, but the third time was the charm.
After stumbling through two road losses in the past week, the Miami RedHawks (20-7, 11-3 MAC) finally picked up win No. 20 with a dramatic 96-92 overtime decision over Kent State (18-9, 8-6 MAC) Friday at Millett Hall
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The victory gave Miami its first 20-win season since 1998-99 and also guaranteed MU a spot in the MAC Tournament. 
Kent State, meanwhile saw its five-game winning streak . . . 

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. . . come to an end. It was KSU's second loss to Miami this year as the RedHawks won a January 18 meeting by nine.

Peter Suder led MU with 22 points. He connected on 5 of 10 shots from the field overall, 2 of 4 from long distance and 10 of 10 at the free throw line. Eian Elmer hit 5 of 10 treys while adding 17 for the RedHawks. Brant Byers (12) and Antwone Woolfolk (11) combined for 23 points. 

Jalen Sullinger and Delrecco Gillespie shared scoring  honors for KSU with 20 points apiece. Cian Medley tallied 16 points and Cli'ron Hornbeck added 10.

Gillespie and Hornbeck combined for 21 rebounds and the Flashes out-rebounded MU 39-22 overall. The KSU total included fifteen offensive rebounds, helping the visitors hold a 17-11 edge in second chance points. 

The Flashes thrived inside, outscoring MU 50-28 in the paint. That helped Kent State shoot 53.3 percent from the field overall. 

Peter Suder scored his 1,000th collegiate career point in Friday's Miami win over Kent State.

Miami, which connected on 50.9 percent, had three less field goals. However, the RedHawks hit seven more threes and four more free throws. 

It was a close game throughout, with 14 ties and 18 lead changes. Miami led 44-41 at intermission, but several RedHawk turnovers fueled a 10-2 Kent State run to open the second half. 

Eian Elmer had a key block and game-winning 3-pointer in frantic action during the game's final minute. (MVSmith/MRO)

The game was tied (63-all) midway through the period, but KSU opened a seven-point edge (79-72) following a Davis three with 2:43 left. 

Miami chipped away and pulled within two when Suder, who scored his 1,000 career point in the first half, banked in a triple at 1:08. After a Flashes turnover, Suder drew a foul and hit both free throws to tie things at 82-all. 

Medley tried a shot with four seconds left, but it was blocked by Elmer and the game headed to overtime. 

The teams again traded leads, and KSU was up 92-91 following a Gillespie second chance layup at :30. However, Elmer drained a three from the wing at the other end. 
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There were eight seconds left when Potter came up with a steal. Kent State fouled Mekhi Cooper, who sank both ends for a four-point Miami advantage that stood through the final horn.  

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