MIAMI BASKETBALL

Miami holds off Lakers to stay unbeaten

Evan Ipsaro drives the paint during first half action. (MVsmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Almar Atlason (16) and Evan Ipsaro (14) combined for 30 points and Miami (4-0) put five players in double figures as the RedHawks held off Mercyhurst (3-3) 76-71 Thursday at Millett Hall. 
The duo connected on 15 of 16 free throws as Miami sank 26 of 31 (84%) at the stripe. The free throws prove pivotal as Mercyhurst made 9 of 13 charity tosses. The difference offset Laker advantages in field goals (27-22) and treys (8-6). 

Noting the Lakers run some "unique" offensive and defensive sets, MU Head Coach Travis Steele  said, "They do foul a lot, and we were able to exploit that as far as attacking north and south and getting to the rim.
. . . Last year we were kind of tied to the 3-point line in a lot of ways. I think we can score in a lot of different ways this year. We can get to the line.

Miami, which played . . .

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Almar Atlason led Miami, which had five players in double figues. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . without injured guard Peter Suder, never trailed in the first half, eventually opening up a 12-point advantage with 5:11 remaining before intermission.

MU led 37-29 at the break, but Mercyhurst began to chip away and caught the RedHawks when Mykolas Ivanauskas hit two free throws to make it a 60-60 game with 7:13 to go. 

We were really good in the first half on first shot defense ." Steele said. In the second half our first shot defense was horrific. We've got to be better (when) we are going away from our bench in the defensive system. "

Two Antoine Woolfolk free throws put MU back in front, but Ivanauskas answered with a triple to give the Lakers a one-point edge. 

The two teams traded scores and the lead shifted, but neither team could break away. A DeShaun Jackson Jr. jumper at 1:33 gave Mercyhurst its last lead, 71-70 with 1:33 left. However, Miami finished with Luke Skaljac, Ipsaro and Brant Byers each sinking two free throws to give MU its fourth win in as many outings. 

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Jake Lemelman (11) tries to get the ball away from Brant Byers. (MVSmith/MRO)

Luke Skaljac battled some foul problems but was around to help MU in the crucial final minutes. (MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES
​• A key play down the stretch was Woolfolk's offensive rebound in a crowd with 24 seconds left. Miami was up 72-71 when the senior grabbed a missed three and got it back out to Ipsaro with a new shot clock.  The Lakers quickly fouled Ipsaro, who hit two free throws to give MU a three-point edge.
• Joining Atlason and Ipsaro in double figures for Miami were Byers (13 points), Woolfolk (11 points) and Skaljac (10 points). 
• With Suder already out, MU also was limited in its use of Skaljac, who got into foul trouble and only played 21 minutes -- the least of any starter. He was, however, available down the stretch and made a pair of late free throws to help Miami pull out the win. 
"I thought he played really well even though his minutes were a little choppy. due to foul trouble.," Steele said. Still,  "He never lost his rhythm. . . .  He made some huge plays on offense in his 21 minutes."
• According to Steele, Suder missed Thursday's game due to a practice injury and could be back soon. "If it was a MAC tournament game, he would have been able to play. I would anticipate him playing (in) the next game as long as all things go well over the next 48-72 hours. 
• Miami hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff Sunday (1 p.m.). The Golden Lions are 0-7 but have played a brutal schedule. 
• The RedHawks shot 45 percent from the floor and 27 percent on threes. 
• Mercyhurst connected on 48 percent of its shots overall and 35 percent beyond the arc. 
• Jake Lemelman and Bernie Blunt III led four Lakers in double figures with 15 points apiece. 
• The Lakers are 3-3 thus far, with a 73-65 victory at Loyola Chicago among their three wins. 
• Mercyhurst had 32-20 advantages in both rebounds and points in the paint. 
The Lakers largest lead was one point. 

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