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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 12:30 PM Sunday, February 28, 2010

KENT — Everything about Miami University’s basketball team seems to be improving except its record.

“Our team is getting better,” Miami coach Charlie Coles said after the RedHawks gave a strong showing at the M.A.C. Center but ultimately lost to Kent State 66-58 on Saturday night, Feb. 27.

The Miami coach previously pointed to his team’s improved play following its 61-56 loss to Akron on Feb. 17 and its 70-68 loss to Ohio on Feb. 24.

“It’s frustrating, definitely,” said Miami sophomore forward Julian Mavunga, who totaled 17 points and eight rebounds for the RedHawks, who have lost four straight in the Mid-American Conference.

“We’ve been playing better in every game, but we don’t do that last thing to get over the hump,” he said. “We need to find out what it is that will change those close losses into victories.”

Kent State remained tied with Akron for first place in the MAC East Division and also in the MAC’s overall standings with a 12-3 league record, 22-8 overall.

A big reason was the presence of KSU sophomore Justin Greene, a 6-foot-8 forward who dominated the inside against the RedHawks, finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Another reason was the absence of senior Adam Fletcher, Miami’s 6-8 center who sat out Saturday’s game with nagging injuries to his knee and leg.

With Greene and without Fletcher on the court, KSU hauled in an astounding 16 offensive rebounds and scored 20 second-chance points.

Coles wasn’t sure Fletcher’s injury would have kept Miami from falling to 12-17 overall, 8-7 in the MAC.

“You hate to make excuses,” he said. “Fletcher is not a great rebounder, but he is our best inside post man. He is our rock on defense.”

Coles is sure, though, about Greene.

“I’ve never seen a kid improve so much in a year,” the Miami coach said. “Whatever they did for him, we have to do for some of our guys.

“He’s the secret to this team because he’s so efficient,” Coles said. “He was the best player on the floor tonight, it’s as simple as that. You can mark him down as one of the better players in the league.”

Kent State led 35-26 at halftime, but Miami stormed back and tied the score 41-41 on a 3-point basket by Mavunga with 13:58 remaining.

The Flashes responded by scoring the next four baskets, holding Miami without a point for a span of 7 minutes, 24 seconds.