Hayes scores 27 as Miami, Ohio beats Buffalo 73-59 in MAC quarterfinals
By APFriday, March 12, 2010
Hayes leads Miami, Ohio past Buffalo, 73-59
CLEVELAND — Kenny Hayes scored 27 points and Miami (Ohio) defeated Buffalo 73-59 on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament.
Fourth-seeded Miami (14-17) meets Ohio in the semifinals Friday night.
Buffalo (18-12) led in the first 2 minutes before Miami took charge. The RedHawks built an 18-point lead midway through the first half and led 32-21 at halftime.
Buffalo chipped away early in the second half. Sean Smiley hit three straight 3-pointers, cutting the lead to 56-54 with 5:43 left. The RedHawks scored the next five points on Julian Mavunga’s basket and a three-point play by Antonio Ballard.
Rodney Pierce’s three-point play cut the lead to four with 2:38 left, but Buffalo would get no closer as Miami made 10 of 12 free throws in the final 2 minutes.
Smiley led Buffalo with 14 points while Pierce added 12. Mavunga scored 16 for Miami.
