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Behind yet another stunning performance by junior guard Kenny Hayes, the Miami University men's basketball team pulled off its third consecutive Mid-American Conference win Saturday afternoon, 66-54.
Hayes scored a game-high 27 points, while the RedHawks improved their overall record to 10-10 and MAC record to 4-4.
Miami Head Coach Charlie Coles praised Hayes on his great performance, especially his work at the free-throw line.
"Kenny hit the free throws; it was very important," Coles said. "Usually a guy will hit four out of seven, but he hit all seven free throws, so that was big."
Hayes' 27 points included a stretch in which he scored 14 points in a row to boost Miami to a 22-point lead in the second half.
Both teams battled throughout the first half, each taking a lead and losing it sometime during the first 20 minutes. Down by three late in the half, junior Michael Bramos, in his second game back from injury, hit a big 3-pointer to tie the game at 24.
Up three with time running out in the first half, Bramos buried a shot from half-court, similar to his shot in the NCAA Tournament, to put the 'Hawks up 32-26.
"They're shooting more," Coles said. "I think they're shooting more. They feel a little comfortable with the shot. They could probably take a few more shots, but shooting is half of it. I think the first thing you saw was a bad break for Ball State, because you cannot give up that amount of points. We had a couple shots beforehand so it opened it up enough, so I think that automatically gave us a boost."
The RedHawks came out hot in the second half, and quickly jumped to an 11-point lead. Bramos still hot from 3-point land, continued to bury the long distance shots. Miami's once 22-point lead was cut down to just 11 at point as Ball State went on a tear, scoring 11 points in what seemed like just minutes. However, Miami was able to stand tall and preserve the 12-point win.
"We just tried to prepare the best that we could," Hayes said. "I thought that we played well."
Coles chalked the win up to the team's defense and not its offense.
"I don't think we were that good on offense, but we were a lot better on defense," Coles said. "I think Ball State is a lot like us; it's tough to catch up. They don't score any points and we don't, so once they got behind like that it was an advantage for us. I think we've been very lucky over the years."
With the win Miami now moves to the fifth position in the MAC, with the MAC tournament in Cleveland just over a month away.
The Red and White will return home for its next two games, after being on the road for the last week. The 'Hawks will host the University of Toledo Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., followed by a bout with Central Michigan University at 4p.m. Saturday.
Halftimes for the next two games will feature two unique performances. Wednesday night the Crosby Elementary School Unicyclers will perform, and Saturday, the Athletic Department will induct eight new members into Miami's Athletic Hall of Fame.
