By Packy Moore
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Miami University men’s basketball team defeated Siena Monday afternoon 70-58 in the first game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off. With today’s win, head coach Travis Steele earned his 100th career victory.
Kam Craft and Peter Suder led all RedHawks (3-2) in scoring with 18 points each, while Eian Elmer added 15. Major Freeman led the Saints (3-3) with 15 points.
How it Happened:
- Suder got the RedHawk offense going at the start of play with a couple of jump shots and a layup to give Miami a 6-4 lead. A three from Craft and a layup from Suder pushed Miami to its first double-digit advantage of the day at 15-4. Only eight minutes remained in the first half after Reece Potter and Brant Byers each recorded a three.
- With the score at 24-18, Elmer knocked down a triple and then proceeded to get to the free-throw line the next possession. Suder fired a bounce pass through the lane to Craft for a layup and stretched Miami’s lead to 31-21. The Red and White entered halftime ahead 32-21.
- Elmer opened the second half by scoring the first five points for Miami. The RedHawks held onto a 43-35 lead with just over 12 minutes left on the game clock, thanks to a pair of threes from Kraft and Suder.
- The Red and White proceeded to catch fire from behind the three-point line, as Craft led the way with three triples over five minutes, increasing the scoring gap to 57-46 with 5:32 to play. In the final minute, Miami shot 7-of-8 from the free-throw line to secure a 70-58 win over the Saints.
Game Notes:
- The RedHawks outrebounded the Saints 37 to 27.
- Miami totaled 24 points in the paint and only gave up 16.
- Byers and Elmer led both teams with two steals each.
- Antwone Woolfolk led all players with a career-high three blocks.
- The Red and White totaled 22 points off turnovers.
Up Next:
Miami will return to the court on Nov. 26 at 1:30 p.m. for the championship game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off (Palms Division) against either Jacksonville or Mercer.
COURTESY MIAMI ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
