MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks face Cardinals in first of seven 'rematches'

By MIKE SMITH
Tuesday's "break in the action" may have been well-timed for the Miami RedHawks.
After knocking off Akron and Kent State in late January, MU has is winless in Febrary. That includes Mid-American Conference losses to Ohio and Northern Illinois before falling to Georgia State in last Saturday's MAC vs. Sun Belt Challenge.

With most MAC teams, including Miami, skipping the usual Tuesday night games, MU is back on the court Saturday when it hosts Ball State. The Cardinals have lost two straight and three of their last four. Their 4-7 conference record leaves them one game behind Miami (5-6).

Saturday is the first of . . .

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. . . seven "rematches" for the MU is meeting each of its remaining regular season opponents for the second time in 2023-24. Miami pulled out an 87-80 overtime victory over BSU in the first meeting.

Ball State led 72-67 before Bryce Bultman hit a jumper with 44 seconds left. After a Cardinals time out and subsequent miss, Bultman pulled down a rebound and got it to Darweshi Hunter. The RedHawks top shooter in the final seconds this year drained a trey as time was expiring. That tied the contest at 72-all, and MU dominated the extra period.

Five RedHawks reached double figures, with Anderson Mirambeaux scoring 16 to lead the way. Hunter and Ryan Mabry contributed 15 apiece. Eian Elmore recorded 10 rebounds as MU out-rbounded Ball State 40-37. 

The Cardinals had just two in double figures, but 6-9 junior forward Basheer Jihad shined with 29 points. That total included an 11 of 11 performance at the free throw line. Most recently, Jihad just missed his fourth double-double (19 points, 9 rebounds) of the season in Ball State's 68-60 loss to Texas State last Saturday. Overall, he is averaging 19.3 points (3rd MAC) and 7.7 rebounds (4th MAC) per game while connecting on 48.0 percent from the field. He has recorded double figure scoring in all but one of his games this year.

MORE NOTES:
-- As a team, BSU ranks seventh among MAC teams in scoring 74.8 ppg). That is one spot ahead of Miami (72.1pg). 
-- The RedHawks have been in something of a scoring slump recently, failing to crack 60 points in either of the last two games -- both losses. While they attempt to get well against BSU, they will be facing the MAC's No. 2 team in scoring defense. Ball State allows 70.9 ppg, while the RedHawks surrender 71.1 ppg (4th MAC). 
-- Miami shot just 30.8 percent from the field against Georgia State. The Panthers connected on 49.1 percent. 
-- MU tried 31 3-point shots against GSU, sinking six (19.4%). 
-- Hunter was the only RedHawk in double figures Saturday. He had 19 points. 
-- Jaquel Morris recorded a team-high eight rebounds and two blocks. He had six points and four fouls in 18 minutes of action. Freshman center Reece Potter tallied eight points with seven boards and two blocks.