Tough luck? Bill Edwards has had more than his share.

The Middletown native suffered another season-ending injury Nov. 24 during the Miami University men’s basketball team’s home game against James Madison, blowing out his left knee and undergoing surgery Dec. 3.

“You’ve seen guys around the country that have had some of the same tough luck,” Edwards said. “I think it’s just your mental toughness, your perseverance and what you want to do with yourself. I think it’s on me to come back and try to make the best out of my situation.”

This will be his third straight season without much on-court action after playing a full freshman campaign at Penn State in 2009-10.

He sat out the following the year at Miami because of NCAA transfer rules. Last season, Edwards played seven games before a wrist injury shut him down.

And now he’s on crutches, a spectator once again.

“It is a little bit (demoralizing),” Edwards admitted. “But my faith, my family and other support I’ve got around me is helping me get through it. I’ll be fine.”

He didn’t get hit on the play that ended his season. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Edwards planted his left knee on a drive toward the basket, and that was it.

“It happened so fast,” said Edwards, who averaged 9.2 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 52.9 percent from 3-point range in five games this year. “I was going to try to pro hop and then jump into the guy to draw a foul. When I planted, it just gave out. I didn’t even make it to the guy. I just remember hitting the ground.

“I didn’t think it was that severe because I got up and walked to the training room, but the MRI was worse.”

He declined to discuss the specifics of the injury other than to say, “He had to go in there and repair the ACL and a few other things. It was pretty serious.”

Edwards’ left leg isn’t able to bear weight yet, though he has started rehab. He has two years of eligibility remaining and plans to be ready for the 2013-14 season.

Asked if his string of misfortunes has made him think about giving up basketball, Edwards shook his head.

“Not at all,” he said. “I think this is a freak accident. It could happen to anybody. By the time fall comes, I think I’ll be ready.”

Hockey

The RedHawks (12-4-4) dropped one spot to sixth in this week’s USCHO.com poll after splitting two games at the Three Rivers Classic in Pittsburgh last weekend. They haven’t allowed more than one goal in their last five contests.

Miami doesn’t play at Steve Cady Arena again until hosting Bowling Green on Jan. 25-26. MU’s next two series are at Northern Michigan (Jan. 11-12) and Wisconsin (Jan. 18-19).

The RedHawks are tied for first place with Notre Dame in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. They’ll meet Feb. 15 in Oxford and Feb. 17 at Soldier Field in Chicago.