MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks blast Northern Illinois; set new record

Dan Luers shoots from the corner. (MVSmith/MRO)

OXFORD, OH -- Eian Elmer and Brant Byers scored 22 points apiece, while the RedHawks' bench contributed 49 points as Miami (21-7, 12-3 MAC) cruised by Northern Illinois (5-23, 1-14 MAC) 87-58 Tuesday at Millett Hall. 
It was the 14th consecutive home win for Miami, setting a new school record. Meanwhile, the 12 MAC wins are MU's most since 2005-06. 

​Northern Illinois, meanwhile lost its ninth straight game and moved a step closer to finishing its MAC experience in last place. The Huskies will be playing basketball -- and most other sports -- in the . . . 

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. . . Horizon league next year. Football is joining the Mountain West. 
Miami opened up an early 14-0 lead and, connecting on 58 percent from the field, held a 46-28 advantage at intermission. 
The RedHawks continued to roll in the second stanza and held a 33-point advantage midway through the period. Fifteen MU players eventually saw action, with nine scoring points. 
Nasir Muhammad led NIU scoers with 17 points. He was followed by James Dent Jr. (12) and Quentin Jones (10). 

Eian Elmer dives for a loose ball during the first half of Miami's win over Northern Illinois. Elmer shared game-high scoring honors (22 points) with Brant Byers. (MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES:
• The RedHawks recorded 25 assists.
• Reece Potter (11 points) was the third MU player to reach double figures.
• Miami out-rebounded the Huskies 44-24. Peter Suder topped MU with seven caroms. 
• Mekhi Cooper recorded six steals. 
• Elmer (5 of 9) and Byers (4 of 5) provided nine of 12 Miami 3-point goals.