MIAMI BASKETBALL

Broncos blast Miami; pull away in second half

By MIKE SMITH
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Any fans who saw either Miami or Western Michigan play last Saturday might believe there is no way either or those same squads participated in Tuesday's RedHawks vs Broncos matchup at University Arena.

Coming off a 69-42 loss Saturday, Western Michigan broke a six-game losing streak by dominating Miami 77-58 Tuesday. The RedHawks, who broke a three-game slide by pummeling Ball State 80-59 three days earlier, failed to score 60 points for the third time in four games, with all three occasions resulting in losses. 

With the victory, WMU tied Miami in conference play. Both are . . . 

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. . . now 6-7 and part of a three-way tie (with Kent State) for sixth place in league standings. Eight teams will advance to the MAC tournament at regular season's end. 

Western Michigan's overall record moves to 9-17, while the RedHawks are now 12-14. 

Miami connected on 51.7 percent from the field and 47.8 percent beyond the arc against Ball State. However, WMU held the visitors to 34 percent (19 of 56) overall and 26 percent (6 of 23) from long distance. 

Western Michigan, on the other hand, hit 41 percent (26 of 63) from the floor and 45 percent (13 of 29) on threes. 

It was a flurry of triples that helped the Broncos grab an early lead. Their advantage reached 18 points before Miami closed the period with a 16-3 run. 

After WMU's Javonte Brown opened the second stanza with a basket, Anderson Mirambeaux knocked down a trey that pulled Miami within four (40-36). That was as close as MU would get. 

Max Burton, a 6-9 forward averaging 3.0 ppg, contributed six points in an 11-0 Broncos run that opened the floodgates. All 10 of the freshman's points came after intermission. He also contributed three rebounds, one block and two steals in 14 minutes of action.

Typically, Miami owns a notable advantage in points off the bench. In Tuesday's contest, however, Western Michigan subs outscored the RedHawk bench 40-18. 

With Miami falling off to 30 percent from the field and 20 percent on threes in the second period, WMU's lead twice reached 25 points before a final margin of 19 points. 

Mirambeaux led Miami with 19 points. However, he was the only RedHawk in double figures. Seth Hubbard paced Western Michigan with 19 points. Joining him in double figures were  B Artis White (14), Owen Lobsinger (12), and Burton (10). 

NEXT: 
Miami hosts Central Michigan Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET). The Chippewas blasted MU 71-55 back on Jan. 23 in Mount Pleasant. Western Michigan hosts Buffalo (2:30 p.m. ET).​