DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — So far the Miami University men's basketball team has proved one thing and one thing only.

The RedHawks can, with some difficulty, win at home against NCAA Division II teams.

Now the real fun is about to begin against some very good Division I teams.

The RedHawks wrapped up their exhibition season with an unimpressive 62-59 victory over the California (Pa.) Vulcans at Millett Hall on Thursday night.

"I think we're playing without emotion, I really believe that," Miami head coach Charlie Coles said. "You can't play this game that way."

The RedHawks did get some key contributions in the second half.

Junior guard Carl Richburg came off the bench to score all nine of his points in the final six minutes, starting with a three-point play at the 5:29 mark, to spark a Miami comeback after the RedHawks had trailed 48-45.

Junior guard Isiah Carson also pitched in off the bench with five points, two steals and two blocks.

"I thought Isiah Carson was the difference in the second half," Coles said. "He made his presence felt. He made a difference."

Tim Pollitz led Miami with 18 points and seven rebounds, Kenny Hayes chipped in with 12 points, and Michael Bramos had nine points and three blocks.

Miami led by as many as eight in the first half, but California finished with a 6-0 run, punctuated by Julian Logan's breakaway slam at the buzzer, to make it a two-point game, 29-27, at halftime.

"We've got to get ready," Coles said. "Right now we have no shot. Luckily, we have three or four days to get ready to play against a machine coming in here."

Coles was referring to the Xavier Musketeers. Miami opens its regular season Tuesday night at home against Xavier, and the schedule doesn't get any easier after that.

In the next month and a half the RedHawks have dates with destiny against No. 4 Kansas, No. 6 Louisville and possibly No. 18 Southern Cal in the Anaheim Classic.

California, which is coached by Bill Brown, blocked seven Miami shots and came up with seven steals, including four by senior forward Ron Banks.

Theron Colao led the Vulcans with 14 points.

The RedHawks committed 17 turnovers, which did not sit well with Coles.

"We had 17 turnovers, which shouldn't have happened because they weren't pressing us on defense."

One bright spot was Miami's foul shooting. The RedHawks were 22-of-26 from the free-throw line for 84.6 percent.

Season opener

Who: Xavier (0-0) at Miami (0-0)

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday

Radio: WONE-AM (980)

TV: FSN Ohio