1/25/2022

MUNCIE, Ind.—Dae Dae Grant scored 26 points, but it was not enough as the Miami University men’s basketball team (9-9; 3-4 Mid-American Conference) dropped an 81-64 decision to Ball State University (8-10; 3-4 MAC) at Worthen Arena on Tuesday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The teams went back and forth in the early goings with Miami and Ball State tied 10-10 off a Dae Dae Grant triple at the 14:19 mark and the RedHawks closing within two with 8:57 to go in the half, 17-15, off a Precious Ayah jumper.
• The Cardinals used a 12-2 run to notch a 29-17 advantage with 2:53 to go in the opening half and went into the locker room with a 31-19 advantage at the half.
• BSU led by double figures for much of the second half. The RedHawks closed to within nine at the 5:47 mark off a Grant triple, 63-54, and again at the 5:12 mark off a Grant three-point play, 66-57, but could get no closer.

NOTES:

• Miami was without Dalonte Brown most of the game after suffering an injury just a minute into the contest.
• In addition to Grant’s game-high-tying 26 points, Mekhi Lairy was the other RedHawk in double figures with 10 points.
• The RedHawks shot 51.5 percent in the second half, but the Cardinals hit 79.2 percent of their shots in the final 20 minutes.
• Miami committed just seven turnovers while forcing 15 BSU turnovers. MU scored 15 points off the Cardinals’ turnovers. Isaiah Coleman-Lands led all players with three steals, equaling BSU’s team total for steals.

UP NEXT:
Miami continues a two-game road stretch when the RedHawks travel to Eastern Michigan for a 3 p.m. game on Saturday, Jan. 29.

COURTESY MIAMI ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS