RedHawks trail at half for 12th straight game

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 11:48 AM Sunday, January 24, 2010

OXFORD — The Miami University basketball team played one of its better first halves of the season during a 64-52 victory over Bowling Green on Saturday, Jan. 23.

Miami trailed by only one point at the break, 20-19, and for the RedHawks, that is an achievement.

It marked the 12th consecutive game Miami has started the second half on the short end of the score.

The last time the RedHawks led at halftime was Nov. 28, when they held a 42-27 lead over Evansville at Millett Hall and went on to win 82-58.

Since that home opener, they have trailed Dayton by 2, Temple by 20, Cincinnati by 1, Wright State by 7, Milwaukee by 8, Xavier by 7, Colorado by 7, Buffalo by 8, Kent State by 13, Ohio by 8, Akron by 18 and Bowling Green by 1.

“I don’t know why we’re different in the second half,” Miami senior guard Kenny Hayes said. “Maybe we’re more urgent because we’re losing.”

The RedHawks led at halftime in only two other games this season, their first two, at Towson (42-37) and Kentucky (39-36). And Miami lost both of those games.

Miami block party

The RedHawks’ seven blocked shots against Bowling Green were the second most they’ve had in a game this season.

Miami blocked eight in its 55-53 overtime win over Kent State on Jan. 12 and also had seven blocks in the 56-55 victory over Wright State on Dec. 13.

Adam Fletcher, Antonio Ballard and Nick Winbush each had two blocks, and Rodney Haddix had one.

Miami’s defense also came up with seven steals, including three by Ballard and two by Haddix.

Mavunga ‘very good’

Sophomore Julian Mavunga is starting to become a consistent scorer for the RedHawks. He hit double figures (11 points) for the eighth time this year and the third time in the last four games.

“I thought Mavunga was very good today,” Miami coach Charlie Coles said. “Julian has proven to be a pretty good guy to coach. If I could say right now who my two favorite guys were, one would be Julian Mavunga. I’ve found out he’s listening. He had 11 rebounds and he hit the free throws.”

Mavunga went 6-for-6 from the line over the final four minutes.

Roberts gets a start

Middletown High School’s Allen Roberts made his second start of the season Saturday, replacing Haddix. The 6-foot-3 freshman guard scored six points in 13 minutes of playing time and had no rebounds, no assists, no steals and no turnovers.

Haddix ended up playing 23 minutes off the bench and, like Roberts, scored six points. Haddix also contributed two assists, two steals and a blocked shot.

Contact this reporter

(513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.

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