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’Hawks hot from start against Buffalo

Fueled by Kenny Hayes’ 27 points, Miami runs to MAC quarterfinal win over Bulls; will face Ohio today.

Miami of Ohio's Kenny Hayes, left, and Buffalo's Rodney Pierce (4) chase a loose ball in the first half of a quarterfinal-round NCAA college basketball game at the MAC tournament Thursday, March 11, 2010, in Cleveland.

Mark Duncan/AP Photo Miami of Ohio's Kenny Hayes, left, and Buffalo's Rodney Pierce (4) chase a loose ball in the first half of a quarterfinal-round NCAA college basketball game at the MAC tournament Thursday, March 11, 2010, in Cleveland.

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 6:53 AM Friday, March 12, 2010

CLEVELAND — The Miami University basketball team gave the Buffalo Bulls the Kentucky Treatment, an operation in which the RedHawks, going against their usual grain, score lots of points very quickly to take a huge first-half lead.

Except this time, the RedHawks actually won.

Kenny Hayes scored 27 points and sank eight straight free throws down the stretch as Miami held off Buffalo 73-57 in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday, March 11.

“I was worried about our guys coming out at the beginning and matching Buffalo, and as it turned out we more than matches for them,” said Miami coach Charlie Coles, whose team jumped to a 17-3 lead.

Miami (14-17 overall) advanced to the semifinals and will play the Ohio Bobcats today at 9 p.m.

“It doesn’t get any better than this, Miami vs. Ohio,” Hayes said.

This will be the seventh time in the last 10 years the RedHawks and Bobcats have met in the MAC tourney.

Miami unveiled its Kentucky Treatment on Nov. 16 when the RedHawks stunned the fans at Rupp Arena, using a 22-2 run to take a 36-18 lead in the first half.

The RedHawks lost that lead almost as quickly as they took it but held on until the end, losing 72-70 on John Wall’s buzzer-beater.

Against Buffalo, Miami took control again in the first half with a 17-0 run sparked by two baskets from Hayes. The outburst also featured a four-point play by Rodney Haddix II (he was fouled while hitting a 3-point basket), a three-point play by Haddix and two 3-point baskets by Nick Winbush.

Buffalo (18-12) closed to within two points, 56-54, with 5:56 remaining following four 3-point baskets by Sean Smiley, but the RedHawks responded with a 13-3 run.

“We didn’t panic,” Hayes said. “We got good shots ... We stayed calm and got the baskets we wanted to get. That’s why we won. We were patient at the end.”

Julian Mavunga added 16 points for the RedHawks, including 13 in the second half, and also had six assists and three steals. Haddix and Winbush each finished with 11 points.

Smiley led the Bulls with 14 points, and Rodney Pierce scored 12.

Antonio Ballard led Miami in rebounds with nine. The RedHawks shot 57.9 percent from the field.

Who: Miami RedHawks (14-17, 9-7 MAC) vs. Ohio Bobcats (19-14, 7-9) in the MAC tournament semifinals

When: Approximately 9 p.m.

Where: Quicken Loans Arena (20,562), Cleveland

Radio: WMOH-AM (1450), WPFB-FM (105.9)

Series: Ohio leads 96-89

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