MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks cruise by Coppin State for first win

Jaquel Morris goes up for one of several dunks. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Forward Bryce Bultman knocked down 4 of 6 treys on the way to 21 points, leading Miami over Coppin State 76-48 Friday at Millett Hall. It was the first win for Miami (1-2), while the Eagles remain winless at 0-5 on the year. 

Bultman, a 6-5 grad-student transfer from McKendree University, got off to a slow start to the young season, missing all five 3-point tries and totaling seven points . . .

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Evan Ipsaro scored 13 points and dished out four assists. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . through two games. However, he hit 4 of 6 triples and 8 of 12 overall from the field Friday.

The only other RedHawk in double figures was point guard Evan Ipsaro, who registered 13 points to go with four assists and a steal in 24 minutes. Nine of his points came from behind the line as he hit 3 of 4 treys. Overall, Miami made 12 of 29 (41.4 percent) from long distance. The RedHawks were a healthy 27 of 51 (52.9%) overall.

Coppin State, meanwhile, connected on 36.5 percent from the field and 12.5 percent (2 of 16) from beyond the arc. Senior forward Justin Winston was the only Eagles player in double figures. He tallied 12 points in 25 minutes off the bench. 

As it they had in the two previous outings, the RedHawks committed a flurry of live-ball turnovers early. Coppin State was able to capitalize on that, and held a small lead in the first few minutes. However, Ryan Mabry's triple at 14:12 gave MU an 11-8 lead, and the 'Hawks never trailed again. 

It was still a one-point game (16-15) midway through the first period, but a trey by Ipsaro and two dunks by Jaquel Morris kicked off a Miami surge. When the horn sounded for intermission, MU was up 40-20. 

The RedHawks continued to expand their lead after halftime, building a 32-point advantage following Bultman's trey at 10:16. Coppin State never got closer than 23 points the rest of the way. 

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Elan Elmer scores two of his eight points.(MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES:
-- The RedHawks return to action Sunday (1 p.m. ET) when they host Illinois State as part of the Miami Classic.
EIU entered the weekend with a 1-3 record. 
-- Miami Head Coach Travis Steele said the team will continue to work on free throws. MU was among the nation's leaders last year,but  the RedHawks have struggled so far. They made 10 of 16 (62.5%) against CSU.
-- After watching his team put up 29 treys Friday, Steele noted the present squad will continue to shoot a lot of threes. However he expects more inside scoring when MU gets back senior Anderson Mirambeau (December?) and 7-1 freshman center Reece Potter. 
-- Four different RedHawks made at least two 3-point goals. 
-- Center Jaquel Morris just missed double figures, scoring nine points -- most on dunks and/or point blank range. He also had just one turnover and one foul while registering two blocks. The sophomore had a total of nine fouls in the previous two outings. 
-- Miami out-rebounded the Eagles 34-32. MU was outrebounded by Texas State 44-26 last Saturday. 

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Bryce Bultman kicks out a pass after penetrating the lane. (MVSmith.MRO)