​MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks struggle against hot Bearcats squad

Turnovers compound MU challenge

By MIKE SMITH
CINCINNATI, OH -- Hosting Cincinnati scorched the nets, hitting 63.3 percent from the field overall and 60.0 percent on treys as the Bearcats blasted Miami 103-76 Wednesday at Fifth Third Arena.

Mekhi Lairy led the RedHawks (4-6) with 20 points, followed by . . .

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. . . Anderson Mirambeaux (16 points, 7 rebounds) and Morgan Safford (14).  Forward Kamari Williams, seeing his first action of the season, tallied nine points and grabbed three rebounds off the bench. 

Miami connected on a more-than-respectable 48.1 percent of its shots overall. However, it nonetheless recorded 13 less field goals and five less treys. Cincinnati (7-4) scored early and often -- from all quadrants -- and was aided by a flurry of RedHawk turnovers as UC aggressively overplayed the passing lanes. Thirteen of the Bearcats' 50 first half points came off Miami turnovers. On the evening, MU registered a turnover percentage of 25.8 percent.

Miami's only lead of the night was 2-0 as Mirambeaux opened scoring with a short jumper. Cincinnati moved in front and was up 12-10 with 13:30 left in the first stanza. Senior guard David Dejulius then went to work, scoring the Bearcats next 10 points as the hosts went up 22-15 with 10:33 to go. Cincinnati then added seven more unanswered points for a 14-point advantage and the 'Cats led by 19 before taking a 17-point edge to the locker room. 

Cincinnati's success continued after intermission, and Miami trailed by 35 points with 5:45 remaining. 

Dejulius paced UC with 22 points. Landers Nolley II addded 20, while 6-11 center Viktor Lakhin added 14. That trio combined to shoot 74 percent from the field.