RedHawks open Gulfcoast Showcase with win over Drake

The Miami RedHawks men’s basketball team improved to 4-1 on the season with a 67-59 win over Drake on Monday afternoon.

Playing in the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Fla., the RedHawks led by as many as 14 points early in the second half but had to hold off a rally by the Bulldogs, who cut the deficit to two twice in the final four minutes.

Nike Sibande led all scorers with 16 points and hit a pair of free throws to give Miami a two-possession lead at 62-58 with 1:16 left.

After a Drake free throw, Sibande made a jumper to push the lead to five, and the RedHawks made three of four free throws to finish it out.

Dalonte Brown scored 13 points for Miami while Dae Dae Grant added 11 and Bam Bowman had nine.

Sibande was 5 of 11 from the floor, and 11 rebounds and made all five of his free-throw attempts.

Bowman made 3 of 6 attempts from 3-point range.

No one scored in double figures for Drake as the defending Missouri Valley Conference champions shot 35.2 percent from the floor.

Miami advances to play South Alabama in the Gulf Coast Showcase semifinals at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The Jaguars beat Northeastern 74-62 in the opening game of the tournament Monday.

Wright State, Weber State, Murray State and La Salle are also part of the tournament, which is set to wrap up Wednesday night.

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