Recap: Byers, Ipsaro shine in Miami men’s basketball season opener

The Miami University RedHawks men’s basketball team (1-0) opened its season with an 87-72 win against the Old Dominion University Monarchs (0-1) at Millett Hall on Nov. 3.

In his first career start, redshirt sophomore wing Brant Byers led the way with 18 points and shot 6-9 (67%) from the field.

The Monarchs opened the game with an 8-0 run and maintained that lead throughout the first half of action. Old Dominion used eight 3-pointers and a 54% field goal percentage to propel them to a 45-37 advantage at halftime.

The RedHawks took their first lead of the game with junior transfer forward Almar Atlason hitting a three-pointer to cap off a 16-7 run to start the second half. Senior guards Peter Suder and Evan Ipsaro also contributed during this pivotal run, scoring four and five points, respectively.

Suder, the preseason Mid-American Conference (MAC) First Team selection, was limited in this contest due in part to foul trouble. Miami’s leading scorer from last season missed a large amount of the second half after picking up his fourth foul with 10:40 remaining.

This did not deter the RedHawks, as they went on a 16-6 run before the four-minute media timeout. This run was led by six points from Byers and a few Ipsaro free throws. Freshman guard Trey Perry scored his first points in Oxford during this run with a right-handed driving layup.

Every RedHawk that entered the game and played at least one minute scored in this contest. Ipsaro had 16 points to go along with two assists. Senior forward Antwone Woolfolk had 12 and Suder scored 14. Off the bench, sophomore guard Luke Skaljac scored 10 points, and Atlason contributed eight.

Sophomore guard Luke Skaljac shoots a free throw attempt against Old Dominion at Millett Hall on Nov. 3

Junior forward Eian Elmer had eight rebounds to help Miami win the battle on the glass, with 33 to Old Dominion’s 29. Beyond the rebounds, the RedHawks outscored the Monarchs 42-24 in the paint.

Miami forced 19 turnovers, with nine coming from steals. The team overcame a sloppy first half and scored 50 in the second while holding the Monarchs to 27 over the last 20 minutes.

“[Atlason and Perry] earned that trust through practice, just the consistency and productivity,” head coach Travis Steele said.

The Monarchs were led by guards LJ Thomas and K.C. Shaw, who scored 13 and 11 points, respectively. Old Dominion shot 8-13 from beyond the arc in the first half but only managed 1-8 in the second from 3-point land.

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The MAC finished the first leg of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge 9-4. The second round of matchups will take place in February. Miami will return to action on Nov. 7 in Millett Hall against Trinity College.

jollifvm@miamioh.edu