2016-17 MAC Basketball Recap: Delaware Blue Hens vs. Miami RedHawks

What the Miami RedHawks (1-2) needed was a win to get some confidence for their young players, but the Delaware Blue Hens (3-1) denied them that opportunity as the Hens handed the RedHawks a 68-66 loss in Oxford. Michael Weathers had a tremendous night despite the result with 24 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Delaware had four players in double figures on the night.

Miami got off to a horrid start in the first half as the team shot 37% from the floor in the first half, while also having eight turnovers and nine personal fouls as it went to the locker room with a 35-29 deficit. After trading punches early on, the Blue Hens settled in and outrebounded the ‘Hawks 17-15 while shooting 48% from the field in the first 20 minutes, which helped establish their lead. Jake Wright led the charge for the Red and White as Weathers was the second-leading scorer at the intermission with five points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Despite an improved defensive effort in the second half with five blocks, the RedHawks simply could not muster the offense need to overtake Delaware. The offense for Miami stagnated in the period with only three buckets coming off of assists while turnovers were still a problem as the team had six in the half. Fouls continued to hamper the team with 12 personal fouls as well as a technical foul in the stanza. The ‘Hawks managed to improve their shooting percentage to 44%, but the edge on the boards belonged to the Hens as they had 36 rebounds to MU’s 31.

Miami needs to stop shooting itself in the foot with mental mistakes if it expects to rebound and get some confidence heading into the MAC season. The RedHawks can get back on track tomorrow when they take on Austin Peay at 3:30.