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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Miami RedHawks found their way to the foul line 27 times Saturday. That was important. Executing once they got there was even more important.Miami outscored Nicholls State from the foul by nine points Saturday on the way to a 69-58 victory in the Basketball Travelers Tournament.
The free throws were particularly important in the second half when Miami chased down the Colonels twice and then pulled away for the eleven-point win.
Four Miami players with at least four attempts were perfect at the line. Three finished in double figures, while the fourth had eight points.
Both teams came into Saturday’s matchup seeking their first win. Miami coach Charlie Coles, whose team has struggled mightily at times on both offense and defense, needed some players to step up in what he considered a key contest.
“When you haven’t won, and you seem to be not playing well … it (is) the most important game of the year,” said Coles, who noted tension among players and coaches prior to the game. “That’s what happens when your confidence is a little shaken.”
Senior Kenny Hayes scored 13 first half points and Miami avoided the kind of spell that allowed some of its opponents to break away, but it still trailed the Colonels 33-30 at the break.
Rodney Haddix followed Adam Fletcher’s layup with a steal early in the second half. Haddix was fouled on the layup and converted the free throw to put Miami up by two.
The junior scored 19 of his 21 game points in the second half. Six came on foul shots and he made three treys during the final 20 minutes.
The RedHawks led by as much as five before Nicholls State went on a 10-0 run. It was the kind of run that had previously spelled defeat for Miami, but Haddix and Mavunga stopped the rally with a five straight free throws to forge a 47-all tie at 8:46.
Mavunga, a sophomore, scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while registering his second double-double in as many nights. The 6-8, 252-pound forward made all eight of his free throws against the Colonels.
“He had a another good night,” Coles said. “He’s feeling strong (and) …is coming along real well.”
A steal and layup by Hayes at 8:36 gave Miami the lead, and the RedHawks slowly pulled away.
Miami shot 52.4 percent from the field and made 14 of 16 free throws in the second half . The RedHawks connected on 19 of 39 (48.7 percent) from the floor for the game.
Hayes led the way with a career-high 23 points, followed by Haddix (21) and Mavunga (12).
The Colonels Anatoly Bose led all scorers with 27 points. Maurice Foster was also in double figures with 14 markers.
Nicholls State shot 41.3 percent from the floor, but made just 7 of 23 (30.4 percent) in the second half.
Miami completes its Basketball Travelers Tournament run tonight as it faces host New Mexico.
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