Midway, Ky. – After having nearly a week off, the Midway University men's basketball team returned to the hardwood on Friday, January 20, when they hosted Rio Grande (Ohio) inside Marshall Gymnasium.

The Eagles (2-16, 2-8 RSC) would take a 33-32 lead into the locker room, but the RedStorm took control of the momentum in the second half as they outscored the home team 48-39 in the second half en route to the 80-72 victory.

The RedStorm (7-14, 4-5 RSC) converted on just over half of their attempts from the field as they shot 50.8 percent (31-61). The visitors didn't shoot as well from long distance as they hit 5-of-13 for 38.5 percent.

The home team didn't shoot as well as their counterparts, but still shot 44.8 percent from the floor (26-58). Unlike the RedStorm, the Eagles fared a bit better from the 3-point line as they hit 10 in 22 attempts for 45.5 percent.

The two teams battled back and forth in the early going as there were three ties and a couple of lead changes, but the RedStorm built their lead up to eight, 29-21, with just over five minutes remaining in the half.

The Eagles, however, wouldn't go away as they started battling back. Midway closed the half on a 12-3 run to take a 33-32 edge at intermission. Brandon Maxwell (Leesville, La.) played a key role in the run scoring seven of his team-high 17 points.

The opening of the second half went like the opening of the game with both teams going back and forth. Each team would hold a lead of up to four points, but the game would be tied for the seventh time at 52 apiece with just over 10 minutes remaining.

The RedStorm broke the tie on a three-point play from Josh Thompson as they wouldn't look back. Midway would cut the lead to three on different occasions, but each time the RedStorm had an answer as they were able to walk away with 80-72 win.

Maxwell paced the Eagles with 17 points, while four other players scored in double figures. DJ Townsend (Morehead, Ky.) added 14 off the bench, while Brandon Johnson (Louisville, Ky.) finished with 13. Gerry Milligan (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Will Hudson (Calhoun, Ky.) chipped in with 11 points apiece.

The Eagles will return to action on Saturday, January 21, when they host West Virginia Tech at 3 p.m. ET in a River States Conference matchup.

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