BOX SCORE
QUOTES
OXFORD, Ohio -- Western Michigan was held to 26.7 percent shooting as Miami knocked off the Mid-American Conference West leaders, 64-46, in front of 3,986 at Millett Hall on Saturday night.
The RedHawks (15-8, 8-3 MAC) held the Broncos (8-16, 5-6 MAC) to only four field goals in the second half as they extended a one-point halftime lead.
Andre Ricks led the Broncos with nine points on 3-of-3 three-point shooting, while
Derek Drews,
Flenard Whitfield and
David Kool each scored eight points. Kool did not make a field goal in 11 attempts, but he and Whitfield each had a team-high seven rebounds.
After Ricks hit his second three-pointer with 12:08 remaining to cut the deficit to four, 33-29, the RedHawks held WMU without a field goal for the next 8:18, while embarking on a 17-6 run to go up 15, 50-35, before Whitfield hit a hook shot with 3:50 to play.
The Broncos used a 10-5 over 3:15 to turn a five-point deficit, 9-4, into a five-point lead, 14-9, after three-pointers by Drews and Ricks and layups from
Demetrius Ward and Whitfield. A three-pointer by
Michael Redell off an offensive rebound and assist from Whitfield kept WMU up five, 20-15, with 5:16 to go in the half.
Miami, however, went on an 8-2 run and held WMU without a point for the final 3:08 of the half to escape to the halftime locker room with a one-point edge, 23-22.
The Broncos hit just 12-of-45 field goals and only 4-of-19 in the second half, but they did convert on 6-of-13 three-pointers (.462) and 16-of-21 free throws (.762), 14-of-16 (.875) in the second half.
Miami picked up 11 steals on its way to forcing 19 WMU turnovers, which turned into a 17-9 advantage in points off turnovers. Miami also led 12-9 in second-chance points, despite two fewer offensive rebounds (14-12 WMU) and 10-0 in fast break points. The RedHawks also effectively kept WMU out of the lane to lead 26-12 in points in the paint.
Miami only hit for 40.4 percent (19-47) from the floor, but converted 22-of-27 free throws (.815) and turned the ball over 12 times.
Tyler Dierkers led Miami with 13 points, six rebounds and four steals, while Michael Bramos added 12 points, all in the second half, and Antonio Ballard scored 11.
WMU is back home for its next two games against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Saturday against Eastern Illinois in ESPNU BracketBusters at 2 p.m.
