MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks blast Buffalo to clinch No. 2 seed

By MIKE SMITH
BUFFALO, NY -- Miami (22-8, 13-4 MAC) connected on 55.9 percent from the field and 57.9 percent on threes as the RedHawks defeated Buffalo 84-69 Tuesday at Alumni Arena.
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With the win, MU locked up the No. 2 seed and next week's MAC Men's Basketball Tournament. Buffalo, meanwhile, fell to 9-21 overall and 4-13 MAC. That assured them an 11th place finish in the 12 team league. The top eight teams advance to tournament play.

Buffalo had shined in its last outing, connecting on 62.5 percent from the field and 56.5 beyond the arc while defeating Toledo 87-74 Saturday. 
It was Miami, however, who . . . 

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. . . had the hot hand Tuesday. Five RedHawks, including three who came off the bench, reached double figures in a balanced scoring attack. Peter Suder led the group with 15 points. Freshman guard Luke Skaljac was right behind with 14. Forwards Antwone Woolfolk (10) and Reece Potter (12) combined for 22 points and eight rebounds. Freshman Brent Byers chipped in 10 points. 

Paving the way for a chunk of that success were 24 assists on 33 baskets. MU also recorded 12 steals along the way.

Senior guard Tyson Dunn led the Bulls with 16 points. His stat line also included eight assists and three of nine UB steals. Sophomore Anquan Boldin Jr. tallied 13, followed by Bryson Wilson (11) and Ben Michaels (10). 

Buffalo inched out to an 11-8 lead before Miami went on a 10-0 run. 
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The hosts were able to stay close and trailed by just two (31-29) when Miami went on an 8-2 burst. Skaljac scored six of the eight RedHawk points and added another bucket before Suder hit a three off a Skaljac assist to give the visitors a 47-35 advantage at intermission. Miami maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second stanza.