RedHawks rally past Akron on senior night

Photo by Connor Moriarty

By Jack Brewer, For The Miami Student

Senior guard Will Sullivan recorded a double-double in his final regular season home game with Miami University, guiding the RedHawks to a 70-63 win over the University of Akron.

"I really want to thank Will Sullivan for everything that he's about," head coach John Cooper said after the game. "He is the epitome of what this whole thing is all about. For a coach, for an administration, for a university, you talk about how you represent yourself, that kid gets it. He's made himself into some kind of basketball player."

Sullivan scored 15 points and hauled in 10 rebounds. All but two of his points came in the second half as the RedHawks (13-17, 8-9 Mid-American Conference) erased a 10-point deficit.

"I felt like in the second half we just had a mode of desperation," Sullivan said. "I think a lot of guys were kind of rallying behind me. It was an emotional night, a special night, and the guys stepped up behind me. Shots weren't falling, but we found a way to get it done as a team and it was a special win for me."

Other RedHawks scoring in double figures were junior guards Eric Washington and Willie Moore and freshman forward Logan McLane. Washington scored a team-high 16 points, while Moore and McLane contributed 10 points each.

The RedHawks struggled all night to make baskets, but the real difference came at the free throw line, where the team made 28 of 34 attempts. Thirty came in the second half, as the RedHawks attacked the basket in order to draw fouls and get to the free throw line.

Akron (18-12, 9-8 MAC) was led offensively by freshman guard Antino Jackson with 17 points, followed by junior forward Reggie McAdams with 14 points off the bench for the Zips. Junior center Pat Forsythe, the Zips' leading scorer, played only the first five minutes before missing the rest of the game with turf toe.

Miami finishes out the regular season at in-state rival Ohio University 7 p.m. Friday. It is the RedHawks' final contest before the MAC Tournament. A win guarantees Miami an opening-round home game.