MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks rip Defiance in final non-conference game

MU bench contributes 83 of record 141 points

Kam Craft hits a short jumper. (MVSmith/MRO)

​By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH  -- The Miami RedHawks wrapped up non-conference play with a record-setting 141-58 win over Defiance College Monday at Millett Hall. 

The 141 points were a new scoring record for MU, which led 74-25 at intermission. While the (NAIA-level) Yellow Jackets fell to 0-5 on the year, Miami is 8-4. The RedHawks open Mid-American Conference play Saturday when they host Buffalo (1 p.m.).

Defiance led once (3-2) after an early triple by Evan Angstmann. However, Miami took over and led by 27 points midway through the period. The hosts were up 49 at intermission. 

Miami shot a blistering 76.3 percent from . . . 

---

. . . the field and 76 percent on treys in the first half. It "cooled off" to 66.7 percent overall and 52.6 percent outside the arc in the second stanza. The 22 made 3-point goals for the game tied an program record MU set earlier this year when it made 22-of 44 from long distance. The RedHawks went 22-of-35 against Defiance. 

Thirteen RedHawks scored Monday, with six finishing in double figures. Dan Luers, who graduated from nearby Fenwick High School and started his collegiate basketball career at Defiance College, led Miami with 20 points. He sank 7-of-11 from the field and 3-of-4 triples along the way. Kam Craft, who connected on 5-of-7 threes, tallied 19 points. Point guard Evan Ipsaro scored 17 points, while Luke Skaljac (16), Mekhi Cooper (14) and Peter Suder (11) also reached double figures. 

NOTES:
>> RedHawks head coach Travis Steele commended his team on its work this week. "We had two of the best practices we've had all year." 
Miami set a new team single-game high in both field goals made (53) and field goal percentage (71.6%).
>> The RedHawks out-rebounded Defiance 39-22 and had a 16-7 edge in second chance points.
>> No Miami starter logged at least 17 minutes. Four bench players saw at least 19:44 minutes of action. The Miami bench contributed 83 points (58 percent of the 141 total). 
>> The 22 made threes are tied for second most by any Division I team this season. 
>> Reece Potter, who has been building his minutes during non-conference play, saw a season-high 20:14 on the court and recorded a career-high eight rebounds.
>> Don0van Stone led the visitors with 11 points. Angstmann and Zahyem Bradwell chipped in nine apiece. 

At left, Mekhi Cooper scores against Jordan Jury. Above, Luke Skaljac tries to turn the corner. (MVSmith/MRO)

Click on images for full frame view/enlargement