MIAMI BASKETBALL

MU offense thrives in MAC-opening win over Bulls

Craft, Byers lead Six RedHawks reach double figures 

Brant Byers connected on all six 3-point tries. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH  -- Miami (9-4, 1-0 MAC) connected on 17-of-34 3-point attempts on the way to a 93-79 win over Buffalo (5-8, 0-1 MAC) Saturday at Millett Hall. 

Brant Byers, a 6-8 redshirt freshman, was a perfect 6-of-6 from long distance as he scored 18 points. He was one of six RedHawks reaching double figures. Kam Craft led the group with 20 points, including a couple of big treys to help stem a second half Bulls comeback. Peter Suder tallied 17 points, while Eian Elmer and Mekhi Cooper contributed 11 apiece. 

The RedHawks shot 45.1 percent from the field overall and 50 percent on threes. Buffalo, meanwhile, connected on 50.9 percent overall and 50 percent on threes. However, the Bulls totaled four less field goals (32-28) and seven less 3-point goals (17-10). Miami owned . . . 

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Antwone Woolfolk puts back a miss for two of his 12 points.

. . . a 30-33 edge in rebounds and six less turnovers despite Buffalo's full court press down the stretch. 

Buffalo's Ryan Sabol led all scorers with 25 points. Tyson Dunn hit 7-of-10 from the field while scoring 20 points. However, no other Bulls player had more than eight points.

Full Game Picture Gallery Coming Sunday!!!!

The teams traded punches throughout the first half. It was 37-37 with 2:18 left to go. Byers then hit a triple to start 9-2 run and Miami led 46-37 at intermission. 

The RedHawks expanded their advantage to double digits early in the second stanza, eventually owning a 20-point (76-56) lead with 7:38 remaining.

Employing a hard full court press, UB cut its deficit to 10 points (80-70) with 3:34 to go. Miami's Mekhi Cooper then banked in a three from the top of the key. After a Bulls basket at the other end, Anthony Woolfolk battled his way to multiple offensive rebounds before muscling in a bucket from underneath. 

The baskets by Cooper and Woolfolk helped stem the tide. Although UB got within nine, two Craft treys helped MU expand its advantage to 14 points. 

BOX SCORE

Reece Potter goes up for a rebound and (left) and gets undercut (right) by Tyson Dunn, who was called for a foul on the play. (MVsmith/MRO)

Peter Suder secures the ball as Ben Michaels reaches in during first half action. (MVSmith/MRO)