OXFORD, Ohio – Senior guard Kenny Hayes and junior guard Rodney Haddix II exploded for 22 and 20 points, respectively, as Miami University’s men's basketball opened its exhibition schedule Sunday with a win against the California (Pa.) Vulcans, 82-65.
Miami shot an impressive 69.2 percent from the field in the second half, lifting them to a .536 shooting percentage for the game, while 47 second-half points propelled the RedHawks to the win. The RedHawks' 3-point shooting also was sharp over the final 20 minutes, sinking 7-of-12 (.583).
Cal-U was able to build an eight-point lead early in the first half, up 15-7 at the 13:57 mark. The RedHawks staged a 10-2 run to knot the game 17-17, receiving five points during the flurry from junior forward Nick Winbush. The Vulcans claimed a two-point edge off a pair of Travon Vann free throws at the 10:28 mark, but Miami was able gain an eight-point lead over the next three minutes, spurred by a pair of jumpers by freshman guard Orlando Williams and four Hayes free throws. A Williams layup at 4:25 extended the Miami lead to 33-24. The Vulcans, however, staged a 9-0 run to even the score, 33-33, by the 2:07 mark of the first half. Hayes nailed a jumper with 1:44 remaining in the first stanza to give the RedHawks a two-point cushion going into the half.
Cal-U tied the game twice early in the second half at 35-35 and at 37-37 with 19:08 to play. But Miami went on a 24-5 surge, spurred by a several 3-pointers, to gain a 19-point advantage by the 11:23 mark. Haddix, who was a perfect 5-for-5 from 3-point range for the game, drained three treys during the second-half run, while Hayes and sophomore guard Kramer Soderberg knocked down one apiece. A trey from freshman forward Drew Kelly with 6:57 remaining extended the Miami lead to 22 points, 70-48. After a Vulcan jumper, a layup from sophomore forward Julian Mavunga again put the RedHawk lead at 22 points, 72-50.
The Vulcans were able to pull within 10 points by the 2:48 mark, but Miami allowed them just one point over the waning minutes while pushing its lead back to 17 points to make the final score 82-65.
Hayes, in his first game back in the red and white since being sidelined in December of the 2008-09 season with an injury, shot 7-12 from the floor while Haddix was a near perfect 7-for-8. Hayes also had seven assists and one blocked shots for the RedHawks. Winbush and senior center Adam Fletcher led the RedHawks with six rebounds apiece. Soderberg led all players with four steals and added four assists.
Cal-U was led by Jerial Nixon with 18 points and five assists. Kelsey Williams and Andrew Young tallied 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Miami plays one more exhibition game, hosting Saginaw Valley State on Sunday, Nov. 8, before opening regular-season play at Towson Nov. 13. The RedHawk men play the second game of an exhibition doubleheader, facing the Cardinals at approximately 3:30 p.m. The Miami women host Tiffin at 1 p.m.
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