MIAMI BASKETBALL

Strong first half helps RedHawks stay undefeated

Huge test awaits as Akron visits Oxford

By MIKE SMITH
BOWLING GREEN, OH --  Visiting Miami (14-0, 2-0 MAC) blitzed Bowling Green early and then withstood the Falcons second half comeback effort for a 93-83 victory Tuesday at the Stroh Center. 
It was the 14th win in as many outings for MU. Bowling Green, which had won four straight and seven of its last eight, fell to 10-4, 1-1 MAC).

Brant Byers and Peter Suder led . . . 

. . . MU with 17 points apiece. The latter also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and recorded three steals. Luke Skaljac tallied 15 points, while Antwone Woolfolk scored all 14 of his points in the RedHawks explosive first half. 

The RedHawks connected on 63 percent from the field and 50 percent on threes while building a massive 54-28 halftime advantage. BGSU was a more modest 41 percent from the field and 17 percent (2 of 7) on threes. One of those treys just beat the final buzzer.

Bowling Green would warm up considerably after intermission, out-scoring Miami 55-39. Three things fed the Falcons:
1. They shot the ball better, while Miami cooled off. The RedHawk hit just one field goal in nearly seven minutes to start the second half. 
2. BGSU turned up its defense, including a trapping, full court press. That helped the Falcons out-score  MU 15-5 in points off turnovers in the second half.
3. Miami was whistled for five fouls in the first five minutes and had eight fouls with 10:04 remaining. After making 2 of 7 free throws in the first period, the Falcons hit 14 of 16 after intermission. 

Bowling Green chipped away, reducing the 26-point halftime deficit to single digits (78-69) when Mayar Wol scored on a tip-in at 3:35.

Suder's steal and triple, along with a pair of Skaljac free throws put MU back up by 14 and the Falcons could get no closer than 11 until Vol closed scoring with a trey for a 93-83 final. 

NOTES: 
•  Sam Towns led BGSU scorers with 24 points. Joining him in double figures were Javontael Campbell (16), Wol (14), Javon Ruffin (12) and Josiah Shackelford (10). 
•  Bowling Green has the MAC's No. 1 scoing defense (66.4 ppg) and is tops in steals (12.6 per game). The Falcons registered 11 steals against Miami, which was playing its second game without starting point guard Evan Ipsaro (out for year). 
•  Miami was outscored in the paint 46-34. 
•  The Falcons recorded one more field goal overall, but MU had six more 3-point goals and six more free throws. 
•  With Ipsaro out, the RedHawks can expect plenty of pressure on most matchups. One of the biggest comes this Saturday when MU hosts Akron at Millett Hall. Tipoff is at approximately 3:30 p.m. as the men's game follows Miami vs. Toledo (1 p.m.) in women's basketball action.
•  Freshman guard Justin Kirby saw his first action of the season, logging 11 minutes. He scored four points and grabbed one rebound.