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MIAMI NOTES
Dierkers dominates first half, gives RedHawks tourney lift
Saturday, March 15, 2008
CLEVELAND — It wasn't a night of celebration for the Miami University basketball team, but Tyler Dierkers sure gave fans something to smile about with a performance that bodes well for next year.
Dierkers recorded his second straight double-double in Miami's 49-47 loss to Kent State in the Mid-American Conference tournament semifinals at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday night, March 14.
Extras
The 6-foot-8 junior from Moeller High School in Cincinnati kept the RedHawks within striking distance in the first half. In fact, he was the dominant player on the court for the first 20 minutes.
Dierkers, who had recorded his first career double-double the night before with 11 points and 13 rebounds in the quarterfinal win over Ohio, was one rebound short of another double-double by halftime against KSU and finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. He also had two assists, two steals, blocked a shot and even drew a charge.
A couple special fans
Two of the more popular players in Miami basketball history were on hand for the RedHawks' contest Friday night.
Seated in the front row of the stands opposite the Miami team bench were Wally Szczerbiak and Mike Ensminger, teammates from the RedHawks' Sweet 16 season of 1999.
Last month, Szczerbiak was traded from the Seattle SuperSonics to the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose home court is Quicken Loans Arena.
Regards to Coach Coles
Before he said anything else after his team's semifinal victory, Kent State coach Jim Christian wanted to sent a greeting to Miami head coach Charlie Coles, who was forced to miss the tournament after undergoing heart surgery at Mercy Hospital Fairfield earlier in the week.
"I want to pass along our best wishes to Coach Coles for a speedy recovery," Christian said. "He is MAC basketball, and it doesn't seem the same without him."
Off night for Bramos
This wasn't a game Miami junior Michael Bramos will want to remember.
Bramos, who had scored 23 points in each of Miami's first two tournament wins, connected on just 1-of-10 field-goal attempts and finished with four points.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197
or pconrad@coxohio.com.
