Miami Victorious over Wilberforce, Improves to .500
The Miami RedHawks cruised past the Wilbeforce Bulldogs in their final game before MAC play begins. In their highest scoring game of the season, the home team won 119-69 at Millett Hall.
Seemingly everyone got in on the scoring action for Miami, as seven players registered double digit point totals. Freshman sensation Evan Ipsaro led the RedHawks in scoring with 17, with Jackson Kotecki right behind him with 13 of his own. Jaquel Morris, Eian Elmer and Bradley Dean all ended with 12 points, with Dean connecting on three deep balls from behind the arc. Reece Potter and Ryan Mabrey round out the seven, both scoring ten on over 50% shooting from the field.
As a team, Miami was dominant on the glass, more than doubling Wilberforce’s rebound totals in the game. Mekhi Cooper was especially excellent on the glass, pulling down a career high ten boards while also adding eight assists. Fellow freshman Eian Elmer was also a force in the paint, matching a career high nine boards to go along with his scoring output.
Jaquel Morris has taken his larger role and embraced it this season, further emphasizing his progress with another strong outing on friday night. Morris added three steals to his score-line as his defensive presence continues to be vital for the RedHawks. With the returns of Potter and Mirambeaux to the rotation, there were questions about how Morris would fit in the frontcourt, but he has answered those questions and then some in recent games.
Anderson Mirambeaux continued his return tour with another solid performance. The senior big man put up nine points, two assists and a block in just eleven minutes of action. Mirambeaux’s experience and post presence will be vital for the RedHawks as the season progresses, so it is encouraging to see him fit into the rotation after missing so much time.
Wilberforce fought valiantly, but in the end were just outmatched by the RedHawks. Cali Davis and Josiah Mobley put up 21 and 19 points respectively in an effort to keep the game close, but no other teammate could reach double digits. The Bulldogs made just 36% of their attempts from the field, and went ice cold from behind the three point line, registering an unimpressive 26% from range. Miami blocked six shots (3 by Potter) and stole the ball eight times in the victory.
Miami improves to 6-6 with the victory, and will head into MAC play after the new year with Western Michigan coming to Oxford on January 2nd. The Broncos are coming off an impressive win of their own, defeating Aquinas 127-71. However, WMU is winless on the road so far this season, suffering five straight losses. Miami will be hoping to make that six in front of their home support after the holidays.