MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks blow big lead but pull out OT win

By MIKE SMITH
Evan Ipsaro scored a career-high 27 points, including four in overtime, to lead Miami past UNC Greensboro Wednesday at Kimmel Arena. 
It was the first of four straight road games for MU, which remained unbeaten and raised its record to 9-0 this year. The Bulldogs fell to 4-6.
Joining Ipsaro in . . . 

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. . . double figures for Miami were Peter Suder (16), Brant Byers (12), Trey Perry (11) and Almar Atlason (10). Suder and Atlason both fouled out in the second half during a late Bulldogs rally fueled by fouls. 

Toyaz Solomon, a 6-9 senior, hit 5 of 6 treys on the way to a game-high 31 points. Justin Wright tallied 26 points and dished out eight assists for the Buldogs. DJ Patrick (12) and Myles Mayfield (10) also reached double figures. The latter provided UNC-Asheville's only points off the bench.

The visiting RedHawks built up a 12-point lead (39-27) with 4:33 remaining in the first half and took a 41-35 edge to intermission.

Miami expanded its advantage to 18 points after a Suder layup at 9:17 of the second period. 

UNC-Asheville began chipping away, but it was still a double-digit RedHawks lead (80-69) following a Suder bucket with 3:11 to play.

Miami would not connect on another field goal, adding just four free throws, during regulation. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, scored 15 points -- eight of them at the free throw line 

Atlason entered the final minute with just three fouls and yet fouled out after back-to-back calls on missed free throw rebounds. 

When Mayfield drained two free throws with 18.5 seconds remaining, UNC-Asheville led 84-83. Suder then drew a foul at the other end with 7.6 to go. He missed the first but knocked down the second to tie the game. A final Bulldogs shot was off the mark, and the game went to overtime. 

Soloman quickly put the hosts back in front with a jumper and Wright made 1 of 2 free throws opportunities as Suder fouled out at 3:09.

Now down by three, Miami got its first field goal in over six minutes as Ipsaro drove the lane for a layup at 2:06. After a Bulldogs turnover, the junior guard scored another basket give Miami an 88-87 edge. 

Byers hit 1 of 2 free throws for MU's final point with 1.2 seconds remaining. While UNC-Asheville was able to get the ball across half court, it could not get a final desperation shot near the basket. 

NOTES: 
• Miami's next game is at Eastern Kentucky Saturday (3 p.m., ESPN+)
• The Bulldogs had a 33-30 edge in rebounds. 
•  Miami had one-more made field goal (31 of 62). UNC-Asheville hit 30 of 62 overall. 
• The Bulldogs went 2 of 2 at the line before intermission and were 14 of 18 from the stripe in the second half. 
Miami was 3 of 5 in the first period and 13 of 15 in the second stanza. 
• MU connected on 10 of 26 threes (38.5%), while UNC-Asheville made 10 of 22 (45.5%).