MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks bash Bethany; hit record threes 

Kam Craft hits an early three. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH  -- Kam Craft connected on 10 of a school record 22 RedHawk 3-point goals as Miami (6-3) overwhelmed Bethany (WV) 112-70 Sunday at Millett Hall. 

The Bison, who play in the President's Athletic Conference and are a Division III team, remain at 5-4 on the season as they counted the contest as an exhibition game. 

"It was good to get back out on the floor," Miami head coach Travis Steele said. With exams, "we had . . . 

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Reece Potter scores on a second half slam. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . about a nine-day stretch where we didn't have a game. 

"Practice was kind of hit and miss a little bit this week, because we had a finals schedule, (but) I thought we had a good overall week."

Craft canned three triples early as Miami jumped out to a 14-3 led at 16:21 of the opening period. The lead continued to grow and reached 35 points (53-18) with 5:03 remaining. The RedHawks took a 34-point advantage 62-28 into halftime. 

A Craft 3-pointer at 11:33 on the second half put the hosts up by 40 (91-51). Eian Elmer's triple at 4:13 gave MU its biggest lead (44 points) of the game, and Miami finished with a 42-point victory margin. 

Fifteen Miami players saw action, with 12 reaching the scoring column. Craft hit 10-of-16 treys on the way to his career- and game-high 34 points.  The 10 treys tied Jason Stewart's program record 10 vs. Marshall in 2000.

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Dan Luers sends a pass inside for one of his four assists. (MVSmith/MRO)

"Cam is a dynamic scorer. He can shoot the ball from anywhere," Steele said. "The last couple games he hasn't shot it as well, (but) he's one of the best shot-makers in the entire country. Our guys found him today with some really good ball movement." 

Brant Byers recorded a career-best 21 points, hitting 8-of-10 field goals and 5-of-7 treys in 16 minutes. Eian Elmer also reached double figures, knocking down 4-of-7 threes on the way to 20 points. Antwone Woolfolk just missed double figures, tallying nine points while grabbing a game-high eight rebounds. 

Miami shot 53.9 percent from the field overall, including 50 percent (22-of-44) from outside the arc. 

Bethany connected on 49.1 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep. Fourteen of its 27 made field goals were threes. 

Ben Guffey led the Bisons with 12 points -- all on triples. Troy Hixson tallied 11 points and Cole Dailey chipped in 10. 

The RedHawks next game is at Vermont. Miami defeated the UV 70-69 last year on a long Darweshi Hunter three at the buzzer. 

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Ethan Wright hits a three for his first points of the season. (MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES: 
>> Miami out-rebounded the visitors 43-25
>> Steele was happy about ball movement on offense and noted MU recorded 27 assists on the day. 
He was less pleased with his team's defense after intermission. Bethel scored 28 points in the first half and 42 during the second stanza. 
"Details matter on defense, and I don't think they were there for us (in the second half). Our defense had been trending in the righ direction ... but I felt like in the second half it took a step backwards."
>> The RedHawks got 45 points from the bench and 42 off turnovers. 
>> Neither team shined at the free throw line. Bethany sank just 2-of-9 (22.2%), while MU hit 8-of-13. 
The RedHawks rank 11th of 12 MAC teams in free throw percentage (68.4%)  and are last in free throws attempted (114).
"We've got to be better shooting free throws," Steele said. "We were 8-of-13 today and I can do that blindfolded. We've (also) got to get to the line more. ... We'll make sure that happens. The great teams can get to the free throw line. That's been on my mind a lot." 
>> Ironically, Miami is first in 3-point shooting percentage (37.4%).

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>> The RedHawks knocked down a MAC-record 22 triples on the day and tied for the most by any Division I program this season.
>> Mekhi Cooper recorded a career-high five steals
​>> 12 points is the eighth-highest team total in team history
​>> Suder set a career high with nine assists

Mekhi Cooper recorded seven assists and a career-high five steals. (MVSmith/MRO)

Antwone Woolfolk puts up a shot against Bryson Bishop out of Stebbins High School in Dayton. (MVSmith/MRO)