March 11, 2004

Box Score

By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND - Juby Johnson scored 20 points - 13 on free throws - and Miami moved into the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament with a 72-67 quarterfinal win over Ball State on Thursday.

Chet Mason added 14 points for the third-seeded RedHawks (18-10), who had failed to reach the semis the past two years after 10 straight appearances.

But Miami made all the big plays and its free throws down the stretch in holding off the sixth-seeded Cardinals (14-15).

Robert Owens scored 17 and Matt McCollom 13 to lead Ball State, which has won more MAC titles (seven) than any other school.

Miami will play second-seeded Kent State in Friday night's second semifinal. DeAndre Haynes scored a career-high 26 points as the Golden Flashes (21-7) advanced with a 79-66 win over seventh-seeded Bowling Green.

The RedHawks swept both games from Kent State during the regular season.

In the evening quarterfinal session, top-seeded Western Michigan plays eighth-seeded Marshall and fourth-seeded Toledo plays fifth-seeded Buffalo.

Miami opened the second half by making three 3-pointers in the first five minutes, extending its four-point halftime lead to 49-35 on Mason's trey.

But the Cardinals dropped into a 2-3 zone and started making shots as they trimmed it to 53-50 on a basket inside by Owens with 6:35 remaining.

Mason countered with a 3-point play to give the RedHawks some breathing room and Miami pushed its lead to 62-52 on Johnson's two free throws with 2:05 left.

Johnson attempted 20 free throws - the second most in tourney history - and the RedHawks scored their final 14 points from the line as Ball State was forced to foul.