 Antonio Ballard, shown here against Akron, has been a key front line contributor for Miami. He had 18 points and 11 rebounds against Central Michigan, but suffered a serious wrist injury with less than 30 seconds left to play. File photo by Mike Smith. SAME WRIST
The senior missed time early in the season with an injury to the same wrist. After returning to the lineup, the 6-4, 199-pound senior quickly became a key part of Miami’s front line. He has scored in double figures in 14 of the last 16 games and entered Thursday seventh in MAC (only) scoring with an average of 15.4 ppg. He was first in MAC offensive rebounds (4.20 rpg) and third in overall rebounding (8.0 rpg).
“That kid was everything we were about this year,” said Miami’s disappointed head coach Charlie Coles after the contest.
UPDATE: As of Friday, Jan. 28, Ballard was listed as "out indefinitely."
Ballard’s 11 rebounds were part of a 34-22 Miami advantage on the boards. The RedHawks also benefitted from a 10-6 edge from the foul line. The big difference, however, was in field goals. Central Michigan, which entered the contest with a MAC-play worst 37.2 percent average, made 22-of-57 (38.6 percent) against Miami.
Although the Redhawks made just 2-of-9 from beyond the arc, their strong inside game allowed them to sink 28-of-44 (63.6 percent) overall.
The Chippewas’ Jalin Thomas led all scorers with 23 points. His 8-of-17 night included 7-of-13 on trey attempts. Trey Zeigler was the only other CMU player in double figures. He had 17 markers.
A pair of Finis Craddock layups capped an 8-0 Central Michigan run to give the hosts a 17-11 advantage with 9:50 left in the first half.
Nick Winbush helped Miami answer, scoring seven of the RedHawks next nine points as they climbed to within one at 21-20.
HOSTS UP AT THE BREAK
Craddock’s tip-in at 3:07 expanded the Chippewas’ advantage to eight at 30-22, but Miami cut the lead in half by intermission, trailing 34-30 after a Ballard jumper with one-second left.
A Ballard layup at 16:17 tied the game at 39-all, and the two teams battled back-and-forth through much of the period. Two Zeigler jumpers resulted in 56-all tie at 5:13, but the Chippewas would not score another point until Derek Jackson’s layup with two seconds left in the contest.
Miami, meanwhile, scored 12 unanswered points to cap a second half in which it connected on 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) from the field. "We got that bsketball to the hole (with) Chris McHenry and Allen Roberts," Coles said. Roberts "really became a force today, beause he is such a big guard."
Miami's victory kept the RedHawks (4-2 MAC, 9-11 overall) in a four-way tie for first place in the MAC East. Central Michigan fell to 2-4 MAC, 5-14 overall.
After making the long trip to Mount Pleasant for Thursday's game, Miami has a quick turnaround with a game in Oxford against Western Michigan Saturday. The contest is scheduled for 4:30 as part of a men's-women's double-header. Central Michigan is in Akron for a 6 p.m. game Sunday.
NOTES:
- The word "decimated" may soon be used to describe Miami's roster, which was already struggling with injuries to key players. Freshman point guard Quinten Rollins missed his second straight game Thursday and will not dress Saturday. Preseason All-MAC forward Julian Mavunga also has been battling a nagging injury. The junior, who averaged 17.8 ppg (fourth, MAC, competition) through four MAC contests, missed the KSU game and made one field goal on five attempts (seven points overall) against Central Michigan.
- Coles said Winbush has been showing leadership and will need to cultivate the role even more when Balard is missing. "If Nick is (going to be) the only senior on the floor, he's going to have to take up the slack," Coles said.
- Miami won despite committing 19 turnovers. CMU recorded 11 steals in the contest.
- Central Michigan leads the MAC in turnover margin with a mark of +5.00. MU is last in that category at -8.00 and also last in assist/turnover ratio (0.64).
- While turnovers have been an on-going problem for the RedHawks, the team is doing well at the boards. Miami ranks first in rebounding margin with a +8.3 mark. Bowling Green is second at +4.0. Additionally, MU is taking advantage of its chances at the line, connecting on a league-best 73.9 percent of its opportunities.
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