DaytonDailyNews.com

SPOKANE, Wash. — The amazing start was followed by 10 minutes of frustration. Then Miami University's basketball team got down to business.

The RedHawks dictated the tempo Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Regional and a much-quicker Oregon squad played right along, opting for a straight-up, halfcourt attack.

The result was a close game that could've gone either way. Ultimately, the Ducks were a little more proficient down the stretch and held on for a 58-56 victory at Spokane Arena.

"I think that they played more of our game than we played of their game," MU coach Charlie Coles said. "And when that happens, you've got a shot at it. But I give (Oregon) credit. Good ballclub."

Tim Pollitz and Michael Bramos led the way for Miami (18-15), with Pollitz scoring 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting and Bramos adding 18 points.

It was Pollitz who pushed the RedHawks within 54-53 on a short jumper with 46.2 seconds remaining. But the Ducks' Aaron Brooks drove to the hole and was fouled with 21.1 ticks left, sinking two free throws to make it 56-53.

Bramos was off the mark with a 3-point attempt from the top of the key with about five seconds remaining, and Oregon's Maarty Leunen made two foul shots with 2.4 on the clock. Bramos buried a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from near halfcourt for the final margin.

"That one goes in, the other one doesn't," said Bramos, shaking his head. "I really wish the first one would've went in. I took a step back to clear some space, but to tell you the truth, I thought it was in. I wanted to take that shot. I like pressure situations."

Brooks (18), Bryce Taylor (14) and Leunen (13) all scored in double digits for Oregon (27-7). The Ducks will face 11th-seeded Winthrop, a 74-64 winner over No. 6 Notre Dame on Friday, in the second round Sunday.

"They're a very difficult team to play against," Oregon coach Ernie Kent said of Miami. "But the key at this level is just to win and move on, and I'm proud of these guys for hitting the free throws, getting the stops. It just became a game that we had to grind out."

The Ducks were stunned right out of the gate when MU stormed to a 9-0 advantage. Kent saw the RedHawks carving up his man-to-man defense, so Oregon switched to a matchup zone.

Miami didn't score for the next 10 minutes. The Ducks, meanwhile, reeled off 20 consecutive points.

"I don't know if they were jittery," Bramos said. "I think our execution was just that good in the beginning with the man offense."

"Once they put in that zone, they started to sink down and get some steals here and there," Pollitz said. "They were being hyped up as being such a fast team ... I don't know if they were that much faster than Toledo. When you play against us, we're trying to get back on transition defense, so that obviously counteracts what they're trying to do on offense. That's kind of how it played out."

Oregon had some success with its fast break, but opted to avoid pressing, even with its edge in speed. As a result, the RedHawks only had seven turnovers, two more than the Ducks.

"I hadn't seen them play much of a full-court game, and teams are creatures of habit," Coles said. "I didn't think they would be very good at a full-court game. I was hoping for a full-court game. I think Oregon is just fast. They get the rebound and go."

Nathan Peavy had nine points and eight rebounds for Miami. Monty St. Clair grabbed six boards and Pollitz added five.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.