The Maine men’s basketball team missed their first seven shots, and got into a 23-point first half hole (27-4), as Miami of Ohio rolled to a 93-61 non-conference victory on Saturday afternoon in the first ever basketball meeting between the two schools at Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio.
After the early struggles, the Black Bears offense played much better the remainder of the opening 20 minutes hitting 11 of their final 16 attempts getting within 12. But the Redhawks were on fire from the three-point arc burying 11 of their first 21 attempts from downtown, as Evan Ipsaro hit 6 of those on 7 attempts. Miami, out of the Mid-American Conference, led by as many as 35 in the second half in improving to 8-0 on the season.
Ipsaro was the games leading scorer, finishing with 24 points, four assists, and three steals. Eian Elmer added 16 points and six rebounds, while Trey Perry and Almar Atlason chipped in 10 points each for Miami. The Redhawks ended up 14-32 (43.8%) from long range. Keelan Steele had 14 points (6-8 field goals) to lead Maine in the loss. Mekhi Gray put in nine points, Caleb Crawford had eight, and TJ Biel had six. Ace Flagg recorded five points in 17 minutes. The 0-11 Black Bears stay on the road traveling to Boston on Wednesday night to take on Boston University at 7:30 p.m.
Photos courtesy of Chris Lessner and UMaine Athletics from games earlier this season
