MIAMI BASKETBALL

Hunter beats buzzer; Miami beats BSU

Darweshi Hunter (MVSmith/MRO file)

By MIKE SMITH
MUNCIE, IN -- Bashear Jihad was hot. Darweshi Hunter was clutch. 
Hunter, who banked in a long three to lift Miami over Vermont earlier this season, beat the regulation time buzzer again Saturday, enabling the RedHawks to eventually pull out an 87-80 overtime victory over Ball State at Worthen Arena. 
The win raised MU's record to 9-9 overall (3-3 MAC), while BSU fell to 9-9 overall and 1-5 in MAC action.

Miami pulled out to an early 8-0 lead, but BSU regrouped and trailed by just two (37-35) at intermission. Cardinal standout Bashear Jihad had 10 points during that stanza, despite making just one of three field goal tries. However, the 6-9 junior forward, caught . . . 

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​. . .  fire in the second half, finishing with a career high 29 points on the afternoon. That included hitting 8 of 18 from the field and 11 of 11 free throws 

Both teams held second half leads, and when Ryan Mabry hit a triple at 12:09, the game was knotted at 56-all. Balll State then went on an 13-2 run. Mickey Pearson Jr., who finished with 26 points, knocked down three triples during the rally.

Down by 11 points with just under five minutes to play, Miami reversed the script from a Tuesday night home loss to Bowling Green. Ball State failed to score another field goal in regulation, managing just three free throws. Meanwhile, the RedHawks chipped away. Bryce Bultman scored six of 11 MU points that left the RedHawks down three (72-69) with 44 seconds remaining. 

After a Ball State timeout, BSU missed a jumper with 17 ticks left. Bultman grabbd the rebound and got it to Hunter, who was hounded as he rushed up the court. He was still under heavy pressure as he launched a long three from the right elbow just befoe time expired.

When his shot fell, the teams were headed to overtime, and MU took advantage of its new life. The RedHawks ran off eight straight points before Jiihad hit his final two points of the game with 2:28 remaining. An Eian Elmer trey and four free throws allowed Miami to hold off BSU's final five points. 

Anderson Mirambeaux led Miami with 16 points. Hunter and Mabrey added 15 each, while Mekhi Cooper tallied 12. Bultman recorded 10 points, while Eian Elmer had seven points  and two blocks to go with a team-high 10 rebounds. 

Joining Jihad in double figures for Ball State were Pearson (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Jalin Anderson (13 points, seven rebounds). 

NOTES: 
-- Miami connected on 50.8 percent from the field overall, while BSU hit 40.6 percent. 
-- The Cardinals had two more 3-point goals (BSU 10 of 25, MU 8 of 21) 
-- MU hit 15 of 20 free throws. Ball State sank 18 of 23. 
-- Miami had a 42-24 advantage on points in the paint.
-- Ball State outscored MU 22-18 on points off turnovers.
-- Injured Miami guards Evan Ipsaro and Bradley Dean did not play. 
-- BSU's Jalen Anderson played 44 of the game's 45 minutes. Darweshi Hunter logged 42 minutes for the RedHawks. 
-- Miami's bench contributed 37 points. Ball State subs recorded 13 points.