Hayes plays hero for RedHawks

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Kenny Hayes (14) of Miami celebrates after scoring the go-ahead bucket against Kent State Jan. 12 in Oxford. Hayes hit the game-winner against Western Michigan on Feb. 4.

Photo by Robert Leifheit/Contributing Photographer Kenny Hayes (14) of Miami celebrates after scoring the go-ahead bucket against Kent State Jan. 12 in Oxford. Hayes hit the game-winner against Western Michigan on Feb. 4.

Staff Report Updated 8:25 AM Friday, February 5, 2010

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — With the game in his hands, Kenny Hayes said he had a flashback to Miami University’s double-overtime loss nine days earlier at Ball State.

“I had a chance to win that game ... That whole game I couldn’t make a shot,” said the senior guard, who vowed that things would be different this time.

Hayes drilled a jumper from the top of the key with 0.8 of a second remaining, propelling the RedHawks to a dramatic 56-54 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos on Thursday night, Feb. 4 at University Arena.

“I wanted to make sure we took the last shot,” said Hayes, who let the clock wind down before he made his move against WMU senior guard David Kool.

“I wanted to get to the basket, but I saw Kool backing up,” Hayes said, “so I thought my best chance was to pull up and shoot a jumper.”

The victory was the third straight for the RedHawks, who improved to 9-13 overall, 6-3 in the Mid-American Conference. It was Miami’s first road win of the season.

In fact, it had been 362 days between road wins for the RedHawks, who had lost 15 in a row (the streak does not include games played at neutral sites). Miami’s last road win had been at Toledo, 53-40, on Feb. 7, 2009.

“It’s been forever,” Hayes said.

“Our guys worked for that one,” Miami coach Charlie Coles said. “I’m really proud of them. (Julian) Mavunga and Hayes were big-time leaders, and (Antonio) Ballard did what he always does.”

Hayes led the RedHawks with 16 points and five assists, Mavunga contributed 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots, and Ballard recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Kool, the MAC’s leading scorer, tallied a game-high 19 points for the Broncos (12-10, 4-5 MAC) but missed two shots in the final minute.

Miami trailed by as many as seven points early in the second half, but rallied with the help of Rodney Haddix, whose eight points off the bench included two 3-pointers during a 22-9 run by the RedHawks.

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