MIAMI BASKETBALL

Rough night for RedHawks as Herd dominates

Mekhi Lairy (MVSmith/MRO)

OXFORD, OH -- Three days after hanging tough at Georgia, the Miami RedHawks (1-3) were overwhelmed Thursday as visiting Marshall (2-1) cruised to a 95-69 victory at Millett Hall. 

Redshirt senior Anthony Taylor led the way for Marshall, sinking 12-of-20 shots from the field on the way to 26 points. However, he was just one of five Thundering Herd players in double figures. Wyatt Fricks (19) and Kamdyn Curfman (16) did much of their damage . . . 

---

Anderson Mirambeaux topped Miami scorers with 19 points (MVSmith/MRO)

. . .  outside the arc, going a combined 10-for-15 on treys. Taevion Kinsey contributed 14 points, while 7-0 center Goran Miladinovic chipped in 10.

Anderson Mirambeaux led Miami scoring with 19 points, hitting 6-of-13 from the floor, as well as all six free throw opportunities. Julian Lewis was the only other RedHawk in double figures. He connected on 5-of-8 from the field and 4-of-5 free throws. Point guard Mekhi Lairy, who tallied a career-high 34 points against Georgia Monday, was held to eight points. 
​
Thursday's matchup against Marshall was a far different challenge than MU faced at Georgia. Miami head coach Travis Steele had previously noted the Herd figure to be one of the nation's top teams in "pace of play." 

That uptempo style, combined with strong shooting and length (e.g. two players at least 7-0 tall) was a lethal combination against Miami's young lineup. The RedHawks are missing several starters through the early portion of MU's schedule. 

---

As has been Miami's pattern so far this year, the RedHawks fell behind early. By the 14:55 mark, Marshall owned a 12-2 lead. However, the RedHawks scored 10 of the game's next 11 points to pull within one following Bryson Tatum's triple at 11:49.

Wil Stevens puts up a shot. (MVSmith/MRO)

When Fricks knocked down a trey at the other end, it was the first of eight more Marshall 3-point goals through the end of the half. By then, the Herd enjoyed a 45-31 advantage. 

Marshall hit 56.3 percent (9-of-16) of its tries from beyond the arc and went 16-of-27 (59.3%) overall before intermission. Miami, meanwhile, connected on 29.4 percent (10-of-34) from the field and 3-of-17 (17.6%) on treys during the first stanza.

Marshall's onslaught continued after intermission, with the Herd building a 23-point edge by 12:08. With Miami missing several front line players, the visitors eventually began to exploit their advantages inside with pick-and-roll plays, as well as lobs and back door plays. Marshall's largest lead was 31 points (93-62) with 1:23 remaining. 

By the end, Marshall enjoyed a 44-20 edge on points in the paint. The visitors also outscored Miami on fast breaks (21-5), points off turnovers (27-11) and points from the bench (36-12). 

Miami Head Coach Travis Steele wasn't happy with what he saw, even accounting for a relatively youthful lineup. "I was absolutely embarassed . . .  by our response," he said. "I saw a lot of blank stares on their faces once we got punched in the mouth. ... That will change."

---

AT LEFT: Bryson Tatum puts up a shot against 7-0 Goran Miladinovic. ABOVE: Julian Lewis is fouled while working inside. (MVSmith/MRO)