Miami Drops to 3-4 After Loss to Central Michigan

By: Jack Mueller

The Miami RedHawks suffered their fourth conference loss of the season on Tuesday, falling short against Central Michigan by a score of 71-55. Miami was unable to recover from an 18 point deficit going into the half. 

The RedHawks were outplayed in nearly every aspect of the game. Central Michigan won the rebound, turnover and paint scoring battles by a wide margin. Miami was only able to muster four offensive rebounds, falling way short of the home team’s ten boards. The one positive that the RedHawks can take away from the game is that their team defense was solid. The RedHawks held their opponents to 42% shooting from the field and just 17% from behind the arc. 

Miami’s offense was a shell of the unit that scored 87 against Ball State, as they could not find any consistent rhythm. The 55 point output is their lowest scoring game of the season, and the first time they failed to reach 70 points since January 5th against Toledo. Darweshi Hunter and Anderson Mirambeaux led the team in scoring with 16 and 13 respectively, with Mekhi Cooper also putting up double digits with 11. Outside of those three though, there was little to zero offensive output. As a team they shot just 38% from the field, their second worst percentage of the season (37% vs. Davidson) and connected on just 26% of their three point attempts, well below their season average of 37%. 

Central Michigan started the game on fire, jumping out to a double digit lead after just eight minutes. Junior guard Anthony Pritchard ran the show for the home side, leading all scorers with 18 and adding eight assists and seven boards as well. The Chippewas were much better in the passing game than the ‘Hawks, as Pritchard’s eight assists matched Miami’s team total on the game. 

Miami was better in the second half, winning the period 35-33, but they just could not overcome the early deficit. The RedHawks did all they could to try and get back in the game, shrinking the lead to single digits with five minutes left in the game. Bryce Bultman connected from three to cut the lead to eight, but a layup at the other end followed by a deep three from Aidan Rubio rebuilt the double-digit lead for the home team. 

Miami will have three days to reflect and adjust their game before Akron at Millett Hall on Saturday, January 27th. Akron comes into the game on a roll, starting their season 15-4 and are undefeated in the conference thus far. Miami will need to be at their absolute best against the Zips, who have been absolutely dominant in the MAC so far this season.