 MIAMI 58, EASTERN MICHIGAN 56
The question is: How did visiting Miami's play look during most of its matchup against Eastern Michigan at the Convocation Center?
The RedHawks seemed well on their way to an ignominious road loss Saturday before freshman Jon Harris tossed in a flurry of late three-pointers to lift MU to a 58-56 victory.
REVIEW PLAYED KEY ROLE
The outcome wasn’t assured until officials ruled on a desperation shot by CMU’s Derek Thompson, who sank his attempt as time expired. What appeared to be a game-winner, however, was waved off after officials consulted a television replay, which showed the clock at 0:00 when the final shot was released.
It was the second consecutive game in which a previously unproductive freshman came off the bench to jump-start the RedHawks. Josh Sewell had a career-night Thursday in a Miami win over Ball State. Saturday, Harris stepped up.
Like Sewell, the 6-8 forward did most of his damage with the trey. He played nine total minutes – all in the second half – and connected on four of five from behind the arc while scoring a career-high 14 points. Harris had just one three-pointer all year, making one (against Duke) of 15 attempts before Saturday.
SHOOTING WOES
Miami, still trying to regroup after a season-ending injury to senior Antonio Ballard and indefinite loss of point guard Quinten Rollins in a recent game at Central Michigan, fell behind early as its “Go-To” guys – forwards Julian Mavunga and Nick Winbush failed to score in the first half. Together, they went 0-for-9 from the field, and the RedHawks shot a miserable 18.5 percent while making just 5-of-27. It would have been worse than that, but sophomore guard Allen Roberts went-4-for-6 from the field, scoring 12 of his team’s total 15 points before intermission.
“We had no momentum. We were so flat,” Miami coach Charlie Coles said. “We dug ourselves a hole.”
Eastern Michigan hit 9-of-19 for 47.4 percent and was 5-of-10 beyond the arc. With 5-of-6 from the line, the Eagles owned a 28-15 advantage at the break. Free throws by J.R. Sims pushed the host’s lead to 20 points at 15:24 and again at 14:50.
Eastern was still comfortably in front by 19 (49-30) with 10:25 remaining. But Miami started to chip away, and when the RedHawks turned up the defensive pressure, the Eagles committed several turnovers.
Winbush's fastbreak layup brought the EMU advantage down to single digits, 52-43 at 2:33, and Harris popped in the first of four treys after an Eagles turnover.
A Bowdry free throw and Jay Higgins' layup at 1:42 pushed it back to nine (55-46) with 1:42, left, but Harris answered with two treys.
After a free throw by EMU’s Jamell Harris, Roberts converted an old-fashioned three to bring Miami within a single point at 56-55 with 5 seconds remaining.
When Higgins missed a layup at the other end, Miami’s Harris came down with the rebound. The RedHawks called a time out with 15 seconds left. As they worked the ball around after the break, it ended up in the hands of Harris, who drained the three with 1.2 seconds left to give MU its first lead of the game. When Thompson’s final shot was waved off, the RedHawks owned an improbable victory.
Coles noted Harris has not been particularly aggressive – on the floor or off, but has considerable potential. “Jon represents about 6-foot, 8 inches of athletic ability,” Coles said.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Ultimately, Eastern Michigan contributed to its own demise. Miami outscored the hosts 9-1 in points off turnovers in the second half and EMU made only 3-of-7 free throw opportunities over the final 5:10. The Eagles made 2-of-4 over the last two minutes.
The charging RedHawks had a 7-0 fast break advantage after intermission and outscored the hosts 14-6 in the paint and 8-2 in second chance points during the final 20 minutes.
Roberts (19), Orlando Williams (11) and Harris (14) reached double figures for Miami. Bowdry (19) and J.R. Sims (13) were the only double-figure scorers for EMU, which slipped to 36 percent from the field after the break.
Miami returns home to host Northern Illinois at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Eastern Michigan is at Kent State Wednesday. |
