Western Michigan rallies in second half to give Miami men’s basketball second conference loss
By: Kethan Babu
(Photos Courtesy of: Megan Walker / Miami Athletics)
The Miami University RedHawks men’s basketball team fell 78-70 against the Western Michigan University Broncos, breaking Miami’s five-game winning streak and handing the RedHawks their second loss in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play.
Despite holding a 32-30 lead at half, the RedHawks faltered in the second-half, trailing by as many as 16 points at one point. They closed the gap slightly in the final minute, but the RedHawks were unable to retake the lead.
Following his 28-point performance against the University of Akron Zips on Feb. 11, junior guard Chansey Willis Jr. led the Broncos with 22 points against Miami. He was joined by graduate student guard Donovan Williams (15), junior guard JaVaughn Hannah (13) and redshirt junior guard Markhi Strickland (10) with double-digit points.
Redshirt freshman wing Brant Byers led the RedHawks with 19 points, followed by sophomore guard Mekhi Cooper with 12 and junior forward Antwone Woolfolk with 11.
Miami’s top three scorers – redshirt sophomore wing Kam Craft, junior guard Peter Suder and sophomore wing Eian Elmer – only combined for eight points against the Broncos, with all eight coming from Suder. Craft and Elmer shot 0-10 on field goals.
How it Happened
Woolfolk brought Miami up 2-0 in the first minute of the game. Western Michigan’s Max Burton evened the score, but the RedHawks scored five straight, including a triple from Cooper.
The Broncos responded with a nine-point run, and Williams gave them a 9-7 lead six minutes in. Strickland widened their lead with a layup.
Both teams traded the advantage throughout the first half. The Broncos held a 20-15 lead with nine minutes remaining, but sophomore center Reece Potter eventually tied it up 22-22 with a 3-pointer.
Western Michigan once again took the advantage 26-22 thanks to a layup from Willis Jr. However, a Woolfolk layup preceded a deep shot from sophomore guard Evan Ipsaro that returned the lead to Miami 27-26.
Going into the final minutes of the half, Byers shot from behind the arc to widen Miami’s lead 32-28. Senior forward Owen Lobsinger added two to the Broncos’ score, but the RedHawks held onto their 32-30 lead at half.
Willis Jr. tied the game 34-34 early into the second half. The RedHawks briefly retook the lead, but a triple from Hannah tied it again 37-37.
The Broncos took the advantage thanks to a layup from Williams, and they grew their lead going into the 10-minute mark. A dunk by Hannah and a 3-pointer from Willis Jr. widened their lead 57-47.
Western Michigan continued its domination, and a pair of free throws by Lobsinger gave the Broncos a 66-50 advantage. The RedHawks scored seven points while allowing two to bring the game to 68-58 with over three minutes to go.
Miami entered the final minute down 74-65. The team added five more points but was unable to tie the game again, giving the RedHawks their second loss in MAC play 78-70.
Up Next
The RedHawks remain at No. 2 in the MAC with a 10-2 conference record, while the Broncos sit at No. 7.
Miami is back on the road next week against the Eastern Michigan University Eagles. The RedHawks return home to Millett Hall on Feb. 21 for Love Honor Care Day against the Kent State University Golden Flashes.