DaytonDailyNews.com

Michael Bramos made his first start and first appearance in two weeks Wednesday in the Miami RedHawks' 66-51 men's basketball victory at Northern Illinois, and although it wasn't a thing of beauty, Charlie Coles liked what he saw.

"I thought his energy was great," the Miami head coach said. "When Michael plays, it gives us one more player who we can sub. Instead of subbing for Eric Pollitz, we can sub Eric Pollitz for Michael Bramos."

Bramos played 31 minutes and scored only four points on 1-of-9 shooting, including 0-for-6 from the 3-point stripe. But his one basket was a thunderous dunk in the closing minutes, and he also chipped in with five rebounds, a steal and an assist.

"Even though he shot only 1-of-9," Coles said, "he still gives us that energy, and we're happy to have him back."

Bramos has sprained his left ankle twice this season, the last time at the end of Miami's game against Kent State. He missed the next three games.

Bramos practiced Tuesday and participated in Wednesday's shoot-around. The decision to start him was made Wednesday.

A rare win in DeKalb

Wednesday's victory was only the second that Coles posted at Northern Illinois as Miami's head coach.

"Coming here for me as a coach is hard," he said. "The first time I ever won here was two years ago on a last-second shot by (William) Hatcher. We don't have many victories here."

Numbers of note

Tyler Dierkers had another quietly outstanding game, hitting 3-of-5 shots and finishing with six points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal while committing only one turnover in a team-high 36 minutes.

Eric Pollitz played well off the bench. He nailed the only 3-point shot he took and in 25 minutes totaled seven points, three rebounds and no turnovers.

Coming up

The RedHawks will try to stretch their winning streak to three games Saturday afternoon at Ball State.

Then they will return to Oxford for a pair of home games next week, Wednesday night against Toledo and next Saturday afternoon against Central Michigan.