​MIAMI BASKETBALL

Miami offense sputters against streaking Chippewas

By MIKE SMITH
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI -- Surging Central Michigan's defense held Miami to 20 first half points, and CMU went on to post a 71-55 victory over MU Tuesday at McGuirk Arena. 

It was the Chippewas fifth win in six games and came on the heels of Saturday's upset win over Toledo. Central Michigan is now 10-9 overall and 5-2 in MAC play. The RedHawks dropped to 9-10 (3-4 MAC) 
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Miami connected on just 34.6 percent overall before intermission. That included 1 of 9 beyond the arc. 
Central Michigan was also 1 of 9 from long distance, but . . . 

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. . . the Chippewas made 13 of 32 (40.6%) from the field overall and were 11 of 15 at the foul line before halftime. Miami hit one of four charity opportunities. 

With RedHawk shooters struggling, Central Michigan was able to open an early lead and built on that with a pair of productive runs. 

After CMU built an 11-4 advantage, Miami closed to 11-9. However, the hosts then reeled off 10 unanswered points.
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A pair of Anderson Mirambeaux buckets prompted CMU to call a time out with 5:57 left in the period. When play resumed, Central Michigan outscored MU 12-3, giving the hosts a hefty 38-20 halftime advantage. 

CMU maintained a comfortable double-digit lead for much of the second stanza. The Chippewas were up 55-38 when Miami made a final challenge. Darweshi Hunter started the 9-0 run with two free throws. Mekhi Cooper and Mirambeaux followed with buckets before Bryce Bultman drained a three from the corner. 

That cut the RedHawks' deficit to eight (55-47) with 5:18 to play. However, it was as close as MU could get. The hosts still led by nine with just under three minutes to play when Markus Harding slammed home a dunk and converted the following free throw. That kick-started a 9-2 CMU run to finish the contest.

Junior guard Anthony Prichard led all scorers with 18 points, adding seven rebounds and eight assists to his stat line on the evening. Brian Taylor tallied 14 points and Harding notched 11.

Hunter led Miami with 16 points. Mirambeaux (13) and Cooper (11) also reached double figures.

The RedHawks had four less field goals overall, connecting on 21 of 55 (38.2%) overall. CMU mde 25 of 59 (42.9%). Neither team did well from distance. Miami shot 26.3 percent from long distance, while the Chippewas were 3 of 17 (17.6%) from beyond the arc. 

Central Michigan outrebounded MU 42-30 and had a 10-point advantage at the foul line. Miami hit 8 of 13 FT opportunities. The Chippewas cashed in on 18 of 24. 

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NOTES: 
-- CMU outscored Miami in the paint 42-28. 
-- MU point guard Evan Ipsaro returned to action, playing 27 minutes. He scored two points, hitting 1 of 3 shots. He recorded 2 turnovers, 2 rebounds and four assists. 
-- Miami returns home Saturday (1 p.m. ET) but will be facing MAC-leader Akron. The Zips are 15-4 overall and undefeated (7-0) in MAC play. This will be the only regular season meeting between the two schools. 
Akron is coached by John Groce, who is a brother to Miami head coach Travis Steele.