Ben Johnson led the way for the Knights (5-7) with 19 points. Garrett Tipton added 17 points, two steals and three blocks for Bellarmine. Juston Betz also had 12 points, four assists and three steals.
Anderson Mirambeaux scored on a layup with 1:29 to play to give Miami a 66-65 lead. After Miami forced a Bellarmine turnover, Ryan Mabrey knocked down a 3-pointer with 18 seconds to play to push Miami’s lead to four points.
Betz’s jumper got the Knights back to within 69-67, but single free throws by Lairy and Williams in the final 12 seconds were the difference. Lairy finished 14-of-16 from the free-throw line.
Miami hosts Wright State on Thursday at Millett Hall. The RedHawks wrap up non-conference play at home on Dec. 29 vs. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. They open Mid-American Confernece play Jan. 3 at Central Michigan.
THURSDAY’S GAME
Wright State at Miami, 7 p.m., 980, 1450
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