OXFORD, Ohio โ Kam Craft delivered a standout performance with 19 points, leading Miami (Ohio) to a comfortable 79-66 victory over Ball State, wrapping up their Mid-American Conference regular season on Friday.
Craft showcased his shooting prowess, hitting 7 of 12 shots from the floor, including an impressive 5 of 9 from beyond the arc. This performance helped boost the RedHawks to a commanding finish, as they had already secured the No. 2 seed for the upcoming conference tournament. Dan Luers contributed significantly with 18 points, connecting on 6 of 12 attempts, including three 3-pointers. Evan Ipsaro also played a vital role, scoring 10 points after making 4 out of his 7 attempts.
Ball State, which ended their season with a 14-17 record overall and 7-11 in conference play, saw Jermahri Hill leading their efforts with 18 points and three steals. Joey Hart added 14 points to the Cardinalsโ tally, while TJ Burch provided support with 12 points and five assists.
The game momentum was set early as Miami (Ohio) took a swift lead with 19:48 remaining in the first half and maintained that edge throughout. By halftime, the RedHawks had established a substantial 41-23 lead, largely driven by Luersโ 14-point contribution.
Looking ahead, the RedHawks are set to commence their campaign in the conference tournament on Thursday, facing off against the No. 7 seed in the quarterfinals at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. Akron clinched the top spot during the regular season and enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed. Meanwhile, Ball State concluded the season in 10th place. Only the top eight teams qualify for the event.