MIAMI BASKETBALL

Craft's career night leads MU past Toledo

​First win against Rockets since 2011

Kam Craft scored a career high 40 points, becoming the second RedHawk player to reach 40 this season. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- The Miami RedHawks (10-1 MAC, 19-5 overall) continued one streak while ending another Tuesday as they knocked off Toledo (9-3 MAC, 15-9 overall) 92-80 at Millett Hall. 
It was the fifth straight win for MU, which remained one game behind MAC-undefeated Akron in the conference standings. It was also the Red and White's first win over UT since Feb. 11, 2011. 
Kam Craft did much of the damage for MU, exploding for a career-high 40 points. He connected on 13 of 22 overall, including 9 of 14 on threes and all five free throws.
His performance put . . . 

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​. . . Miami in rare statistical air. The RedHawks are the only Division I team to have two different players score at least 40 points this season. Peter Suder scored 42 points against Air Force back on Dec. 2. 

​Craft buried a three on Miami's first possession and MU continued to ride the trey while building an 18-point lead. Eian Elmer's one-handed power jam at 6:24 put the RedHawks up 34-16. Miami led 45-30 at intermission. The hosts connected on 11 of 22 (55%) from beyond the arc and were 17 of 35 (48.6%) overall. 

A total of 14 fouls were called in the first 20 minutes -- eight against MU and six against Toledo. However, the stripe would be a much busier place in the second 20 minutes. 

Just over two minutes into the second stanza, Miami forward Antwone Woolfolk and UT's Javan Simmons were each given personal AND technical fouls. That saddled Woolfolk with his third and fourth fouls, sending him to the bench. Fortunately for MU, center Reece Potter was available. He had missed the previous two games due to injury.  

Mekhi Cooper finishes a second half drive. (MVSmith/MRO)

Still, the floodgates were open, and the teams were shooting bonus free throws with 12 minutes remaining. Double-bonus opportunities were not far behind. Thirty-three fouls were called after intermission. Potter and Elmer fouled out late. Woolfolk finished with four, although he totaled just 18 minutes on the court. Toledo had two players with four fouls and four with three. 

Fortunately for the RedHawks, Miami's bench has been a pretty steady contributor and supported Tuesday's win with 32 points. Three players came off the bench to play at least 20 minutes. 

Miami led by 23 (71-48) midway through the final period. While Toledo was able to narrow the gap, it never pulled within single digits. 

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Besides Craft, Evan Ipsaro was the only other RedHawk scoring in double figures. He connected on all three of his 3-point tries while totaling 14 points. Elmer scored seven points and led Miami on the boards with 14 caroms. MU out-rebounded Toledo 45-33.

Sonny Wilson topped the Rockets with 23 points, followed by Sam Lewis (21), Isaiah Adams (19) and Bryce Ford (10). Toledo's bench totaled four points. 
NOTES:
• The RedHawks face Western Michigan in Kalamazoo Saturday (2:30). They follow that with a road tilt against Eastern Michigan Tuesday (6:30).
• Craft is the first player since Mekhi Lairy (2022-23) to score 30 or more points in a season twice.
• Craft's previous career-high was 34 points (Dec. 15, 2024 versus Bethany).
• The Red and White shot 50% or better (15-of-30) from the three-point line for the fourth time this season

Reece Potter returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing two games. He was able to play just over 20 minutes, helping MU navigate the second half after Antwone Woolfolk picked up his third and fourth fouls early in the final period. (MVSmith/MRO)