DaytonDailyNews.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Tim Pollitz said that in terms of pure physical health, his best days are behind him.

"I'll never be back to where I was before the (knee) injury, physically," the Miami University junior forward said Wednesday night.

The Central Michigan Chippewas will have a hard time believing that, especially after watching Pollitz match his career high with 23 points as the RedHawks won, 72-52, at Rose Arena.

It was the first road victory of the season for Miami, which improved to 8-10 overall and remained tied for second place in the Mid-American Conference East Division with Ohio and Kent State, all at 4-2 in the MAC. Central Michigan dropped to 7-11 overall and 2-4 in the MAC.

High times, low times

Pollitz drilled 10-of-16 field goal attempts and also handed off three assists for the RedHawks, who took control by scoring the final 11 points of the first half to take a 35-23 lead into the break.

Then Pollitz really turned it on, scoring 12 points over the first 10 minutes of the second half. By the end of the night, his season scoring average was at 12.9 points per game. It was the seventh consecutive game in which his average had increased.

"Tim's playing better as of late," Miami coach Charlie Coles said. "Tim got off to a rough start for physical reasons. He's got more of a rhythm now. He's not anxious anymore."

As far as the knee goes, well, Pollitz just shrugged.

"It keeps getting swollen," he said. "I sit out at practice all the time. It gets inflamed because of the pounding."