MIAMI BASKETBALL

MU win streak ends as UT extends series domination

Anderson Mirambeaux gets off a shot during a tough first half for the RedHawks. (MVSmith/MRO)

OXFORD, OH -- If the Miami RedHawks (9-8 MAC, 15-15 overall) were going to break Toledo's 21-game win streak in the MU- UT series, they needed to shoot well and find a way to stymie the league's top offense. 
Neither of those things happened Tuesday at Millett Hall, and the result was a dominating 97-63 Rockets win. 

As Miami Head Coach Travis Steele later pointed out, Toledo (13-4 MAC, 19-11 overall) performed like it was playing for a regular season championship. With Eastern Michigan's 61-60 upset win in Akron, the Rockets, indeed, joined the Zips atop the MAC standings. One regular season game remains before next week's MAC tournament. 

Miami, meanwhile, has . . . 

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Eian Elmer led Miami with 18 points. However, he was the only RedHawk to reach double figures. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . clinched a spot in the tourney but is tied with Bowling Green for fifth place. 

Toledo had lost two of its last three games, but it showed nothing but championship form against Miami. The Rockets connected on 60.4 percent from the field overall and hit 52.6 percent (10 of 19) on treys. 

Defensively, UT hounded Miami shooters, limiting the hosts to 31.8 percent from the field. Miami had 11 less made field goals overall and two less 3-point goals.

Free throws proved pivotal in UT's win over Miami earlier this year. While they didn't determine the outcome this time, Toledo again enjoyed a, edge at the stripe. The Rockets made 23 of 28, while MU hit 13 of 18 opportunities. 

"Let's just say they're good at drawing fouls," Steele said when asked about Toledo's ability to get to the line.

Toledo went 17 for 17 at the line before intermission, contributing to a first half blitz that buried Miami in a 54-24 hole by halftime. The 54 points were more than Miami totaled in its recent 52-37  win over Eastern Michigan.

Toledo scored the game's first 11 points and was up 22-2 after a Ra'heim Moss basket at 13:15. Shooting 61.4 percent in the opening stanza, UT also helped itself by outscoring the RedHawks 13-0 on points off turnovers before intermission.

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Mekhi Cooper tries to finish a shot in the lane. (MVSmith/MRO)

The Rockets had several 33-point leads before Ryan Mabrey hit a triple with three seconds left to leave Miami down 54-24. 

An 8-2 Miami mini-run early in the second period reduced Toledo's margin to 24 points, but the Rockets rebuilt their advantage to as many as 38 points before a final margin of 34. 

The RedHawks made just one more field goal in the second half than before intermission, shooting 33.33 percent during the second period. Toledo, meanwhile shot 59.26 from the field, equaling its first half production in both field goals (16) and treys (5). 

Tyler Cochran led Toledo with 22 points. He hit 7 of 9 field goals and 3 of 4 triples. Joining him in double figures were Andre Lorentsson (16), Dante Maddox Jr. (13) and Moss (10). 

Miami had just one player in double figures. Eian Elmer connected on 6 of 9 field goals (3 of 4 treys) while scoring 18 points. Mekhi Cooper and Bradley Dean chipped in eight points apiece. 

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Evan Ipsaro tied his career high with seven assists. (MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES:
- Miami finishes its regular season Friday when it hosts rival Ohio (7 p.m. ET) 
-- In addition to out-shooting MU, Toledo out-rebounded the RedHawks 44-27. The Rockets also owned a 38-20 edge on points in the paint. 
-- Center Reece Potter fouled out despite playing just eight minutes. 
-- Elmer and Jaquel Morris led MU on the glass, grabbing six rebounds apiece.
-- Elmer hit a career-high three 3-pointers.
-- Evan Ipsaro matched his career high with seven assists. 
-- It was Miami's 22nd straight loss to Toledo. 

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