MIAMI BASKETBALL

Unbeaten RedHawks blast Central Michigan

Trey Perry draws a foul while driving to the basket in first half action. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Brant Byers scored 24 points and Miami (18-0, 6-0 MAC) connected on a blistering 60.4 percent from the field while bashing Central Michigan 100-61 Tuesday at Millett Hall 

Our guys were ready to go tonight," Miami head coach Travis Steele said in his post-game comments. "I thought we had a couple good days of practice leading up to the game. I thought game prep was really, really good. "

With the victory, MU continued its season-opening win streak -- now sitting at 18 straight. The Chippewas fell to 5-13 (1-5 MAC). 

CMU's league victory came last Saturday when the Chippewas upset Kent State. However, Central Michigan held just two small leads early and trailed by double digits 26-15) with 8:20 left in the first half. 
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Miami expanded its lead to as many as 17 before taking a 14-point (49-35) advantage to intermission. 

The RedHawks . . . 

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Luke Skaljac passes off to a teammate. The sophomore recorded six of Miami's 19 assists on the night. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . remained hot in the second half, doubling the halftime lead to 28 points  (77-49) following Peter Suder's layup at 8:56.

"(During) non-conference, I think we let teams get back in (the game) a couple times," Steele said. "I think our guys understand now (that we need to) drop the hammer."


Eventually, MU held a 41-point lead. That came on Jackson Kotecki's two free throws, which allowed Miami to reach triple figures on the scoreboard for the fifth time this season.  

"We're dangerous. We can really make shots. We can get to the free throw line. We can post it up.," Steele said. 

Antwone Woolfolk drives to the hoop. In addition to 10 points, he recorded 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. (MVSmith/MRO)

In addition to Byers (24), four other RedHawks reached double figures: Justin Kirby (17), Luke Skaljac (13), Suder (11) and Antwone Woolfolk (10). The latter also had a team high 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. 

"I think Antwone is playing as good as any frontcourt guy in our league," Steele observed. "His ability to defend on the perimeter, in the post -- (plus) his rebounding, blocked shots, steals. . . . and he's shooting it well."

Nathan Claerbaut topped the Chippewas with 16 points, while Keenan Garner, Tamario Adley and Logan McIntire added 11 apiece. 

Miami is home again Saturday,  facing an improved Buffalo (13-4, 3-2 MAC) team that already has more wins than all of last year (9-22, 4-14 MAC). Tip time is 1 p.m. (ESPN+)

Central Michigan is off Saturday but hosts Ball State in a 7 p.m. matchup next Tuesday. 

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Justin Kirby contributed 17 points and six rebounds against CMU. (MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES: 
•     MU freshman guard Trey Perry had missed two games (illness) but was back in the lineup Tuesday. He played 17 minutes, chipping in eight points. 
•    Thirteen RedHawks saw action, with 10 scoring. 
•   Kirby has averaged 11.0 ppg over the last three contests. He has also grabbed a total of 17 rebounds during that span.
•   Miami shot 66.6 percent from the field in the second half and 60.4 percent overall. The RedHawks made 11 of 23 threes (47.8%) and 25 of 28 free throws.
•   Central Michigan connected on 40.7 percent overall and 26.3 percent (5 of 19) from long distance. The Chippewas made 8 of 12 free throw opportunities. 
•  Miami edged CMU 33-26 on the boards and out-scored the visitors 18-6 off turnovers. MU recorded 12 steals in the contest. 
•  This is the first time Miami has scored 100 or more points against a conference opponent since Jan. 5, 2002 (100-94 double overtime victory at Central Michigan).
•   The Red and White shot 50% (32-of-53) or better from the field for the 14th time this season.
•   Miami produced 40 bench points.
•   Although most students are on break until late January, Tuesday's student section included a vocal group from Miami's swim team.  During the second half, when CMU was shooting at that end, the swimmers switched to swim attire. 
Steele noted he got a few chuckles out of it and thanked the group for their attempts at distracting shooters. "We appreciate the support. ... I was distracted, so I would think they (Chippewas) were, as well," he said.

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Members of Miami's swim team were vocal supporters of the basketball team Tuesday. (MVSmith/MRO)