Miami OH defeats E Kentucky 69-79

Miami OH Edges E Kentucky in Thrilling Non-Conference Showdown

In a hard-fought battle at the Baptist Health Arena, Miami OH (AWAY) outlasted host E Kentucky (HOME) 79-69 on Saturday night, capping off a closely contested non-conference matchup.

The first half set the tone for a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. At halftime, Miami OH held a slim 35-25 edge, but E Kentucky refused to back down in the second half. The Colonels narrowed the gap to as little as two points before Miami OH pulled away, ultimately winning by a 10-point margin.

The RedHawks' balanced attack was on full display, with five players scoring in double figures. Almar Atlason paced Miami OH with 19 points, including three successful three-point attempts. Antwone Woolfolk chipped in with 15 points and added two assists to complement his strong rebounding (5) effort.

Meanwhile, Juan Cranford Jr. led E Kentucky with 18 points on 4-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc. Yvens Paul contributed a double-double with 12 rebounds and nine points, while Turner Buttry dished out six assists in the loss.

Advanced statistics revealed a fascinating contrast between the two teams. Miami OH's field goal percentage (54.0%) dwarfed E Kentucky's (34.0%), while the RedHawks' free throw shooting (33.3%) lagged behind the Colonels' (77.0%). The disparity was further exemplified in points off turnovers, where Miami OH outscored its opponent 20-6.

As the final buzzer sounded, both teams had given it their all, but ultimately fell short of claiming a monumental upset victory. For Miami OH, this win marks an encouraging start to the season, while E Kentucky looks to regroup and refocus ahead of its next challenge.

With the non-conference schedule providing ample opportunities for growth and development, both teams will be eager to build on tonight's results in the coming weeks.