OxfordPress.com

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — About 10 minutes into Miami University's basketball game at Evansville, the RedHawks seemed to run out of points, out of defense, out of gas, out of everything.

Miami watched a 23-8 lead turn into a 75-61 loss Saturday, Feb. 21 in an ESPNU Bracketbuster game at Roberts Stadium.

The RedHawks, who fell to 15-10 after losing for the third time in their last four games, were outscored 31-12 over the final 13 minutes and 67-38 over the final 30 minutes.

"Very disappointing," Miami senior Tyler Dierkers said. "We were making shots for the first 10 or 15 minutes of the game.

"Our defense was pretty bad the entire game," he added.

Miami connected on 11 of its first 15 field goal attempts. But a 3-point basket by Evansville senior guard Jason Holsinger and a three-point play by senior forward Shy Ely got the Purple aces off and running.

Ely led Evansville (16-11) in scoring 21 points, going 9-for-13 from the foul line, and Holsinger finished with 20 points and six assists.

"I just think they tired us out," Miami coach Charlie Coles said. "They had a lot of energy and we just seemed tired.

"We don't seem to be executing the way we were two weeks ago," he said. "It's been a long year for some of the guys in terms of minutes played."

Dierkers and fellow senior Michael Bramos both have been averaging slightly more than 36 minutes of playing time since the start of the Mid-American Conference season, and senior Eric Pollitz has averaged 30 minutes.

"I didn't say anything to the team after the game," Coles said. "I didn't want to hammer them. We just need to relax and see where we're going from here."

Bramos led Miami with 17 points, all in the first half. He hit 8-of-12 field goal attempts, but sat out much of the second half after picking up his third foul with 13:09 remaining.

Dierkers added eight points, six rebounds and two blocks, Pollitz had eight points and three assists, and Adam Fletcher chipped in with six points, six rebounds and three assists.

Freshman guard Kaylon Williams had nine points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Purple Aces.

Miami led 40-35 at halftime. but Evansville jumped in front for good when Eli banked in a jumper with 10:34 remaining to put the Purple Aces on top 52-51. The play came during a 22-4 run by the home team, which has won five straight over the RedHawks.