CLEVELAND — Miami saw something in the first half of its Mid-American Conference semifinal game against Ohio University that the RedHawks don't often see: a full-court press.

        The press was effective. It forced four turnovers, all of which OU converted into field goals.

        That was the difference in the half as OU led 32-22.

        BAD START: Miami missed eight of its first 10 shots, and Ohio outrebounded the RedHawks 10-2 in the first eight minutes of the game. That put Miami in a 16-4 hole to start.

        LOCAL FLAVOR: Three of the 10 starters Friday played high school ball in Cincinnati: Miami's Mike Ensminger (Oak Hills) and Jason Grunkemeyer (Moeller), and Ohio's Brandon Hunter (Withrow). Each team had a top sub from Cincinnati, as well — Rich Allendorf (St.Xavier) for Miami and Steve Esterkamp (LaSalle) for OU.

        SICK BAY: Larry Drake did not play Thursday against Central Michigan because he mildly sprained his ankle in the morning shoot-around. Leading scorer Alex Shorts, who had nine points against Central (six below his average), was battling the flu.

        Shorts played Friday, but three fouls limited him to 13 minutes in the first half.

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