Journal-News.com

FAIRBORN — The Wright State Raiders have handed out so much pain to Miami University's basketball team the last two seasons that the RedHawks figured the least they could do in return is make the Raiders feel uncomfortable.

Mission accomplished.

Kenny Hayes scored a game-high 20 points and Michael Bramos added 19 as Miami beat Wright State 55-37 on Monday, Nov. 24, at the Nutter Center.

The 37 points were the fewest scored by the Raiders since a 61-35 loss at home to Northern Iowa on Dec. 4, 1999.

Wright State stunned Miami in each of the last two years with last-second game-winning shots.

"We didn't want it to come down to that last possession this year," Bramos said."

"What we wanted to do," said Miami coach Charlie Coles, "was make them uncomfortable on their shots, make them work for their shots, and I think we did."

Miami shot only 37.5 from the field, but the RedHawks (2-2) sizzled compared to the Raiders (0-3), who connected on just 26.5 percent of their field goal attempts.

Shooting has been a massive problem for the Raiders this season. Two of their top scorers, Todd Brown and Vaughn Duggins, have made just 14-of-54 shots from the floor. Brown, whose last-second 3-pointer beat Miami last season, is 1-for-14 in his last two games.

"I wish I could tell you," said Duggins when asked about Wright State's shooting. "We return a good core of shooters and playmakers (from last year) and we're taking some good shots that we're missing.

"We're 0-3. It's not like we're going to start panicking," Duggins added. "We might go on a 28-game winning streak. But we've got to go back, keep working hard and learn from all the mistakes we've been making."

Wright State's only lead came when John Gardner, who led the Raiders with 12 points, hit the second of two free throws to make it 13-12 with 8:17 left in the first half.

Miami answered with a 13-0 run which featured 3-point baskets by Bramos and Hayes. The RedHawks led 25-16 at halftime and put the game away by scoring 12 of the first 16 points of the second half.

"I'm really pleased because Wright State the last two years has done a great job against our team, beat us on last-second shots and out-hustled us," Coles said.

"I told the team this year forget about a win and a loss. Just play harder than they play and I'll be satisfied."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.