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MU clamps down but comes up short against Akron

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Akron's Mike Bardo blocks a two point basket attempt by Miami's Antonio Ballard during the first half of Wednesday's game at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Staff photo by Pat Auckerman Akron's Mike Bardo blocks a two point basket attempt by Miami's Antonio Ballard during the first half of Wednesday's game at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

The Zips make the key plays down the stretch to pick up a key MAC victory.

By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 7:48 AM Thursday, February 18, 2010

OXFORD — University of Akron basketball coach Keith Dambrot said he never had seen the Miami RedHawks play like they played on Wednesday night, Feb. 17. Especially on defense.

Not that it was much consolation for the RedHawks following a 61-56 loss to the Zips which put them two games behind both Akron and Kent State in the Mid-American Conference East Division standings.

“That’s about as hard on the ball I’ve ever seen them play us (on defense),” Dambrot said of the RedHawks. “You could see them amp it up in the second half.”

Miami trailed by as many as nine early in the second half, but kept pressuring the Zips, kept crowding them, kept diving for loose balls, kept pecking away, and the RedHawks finally took their first and only lead, 50-49, when freshman guard Allen Roberts drove for basket with 4:41 remaining.

Akron responded with six straight points and the RedHawks were unable to catch up again.

“It’s heartbreaking because that puts us two games behind Akron,” said senior guard Kenny Hayes, who led all scorers with 16 points. “This was one we really needed.”

It was the RedHawks’ second straight loss after they had put together a five-game winning streak, and it dropped their record to 11-15 overall, 8-5 in the MAC.

Akron, which remains tied for first place with Kent State, improved to 20-7 overall, 10-3 in the league.

It was the fifth straight 20-win season for Akron, which was led by junior forward Brett McKnight with 13 points off the bench and his brother, senior forward Chris McKnight, who added 12 points off the bench.

“I just think they manned up at the end,” Hayes said of the Zips. “Their experience in the NCAA tournament ... They got some key rebounds and hustle plays....”

Brett McKnight completed a three-point play after getting fouled with 3:46 on the clock to give Akron a 54-50 lead.

“For about 22 minutes of that game we played about as hard as any team I’ve had here at Miami,” RedHawks coach Charlie Coles said. “I didn’t say play as good, I said play as hard. I was on Cloud 9. It was good to watch.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.

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