OAKLAND CITY, Ind. -- Following a string of four non-conference games to open the 2021-22 campaign, the Midway men's basketball team began River States Conference play on Saturday with a road trip to Oakland City (Ind.).

Trailing by five with under 10 minutes to play, the Eagles went on an 8-0 run before taking the lead for good with 4:58 remaining as they held on for the 76-71 victory to open league play on a high note.

Following the win, Joe Krupinski's club pushes their win streak to four improving to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in RSC play. Oakland City, meanwhile, drops to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

The Eagles got off to a strong start as they sprinted to an early 14-8 lead behind eight early points from Recardo Travis (Louisville, Ky.) and six from Izaya Sims (East Moline, Ill.). Midway's quick start, however, would stall as Oakland City began to take control.

The Mighty Oaks answered with a 15-2 run that saw them take a 23-16 lead with just under nine minutes remaining in the first half. The visitors battled back tied the game at 27, but Oakland City closed the half on an 8-2 run to take a 35-29 lead into the locker room.

The two teams traded baskets to open the second stanza, but Midway would finally make their move after trailing by five with 8:27 remaining in regulation. Oakland City went cold and didn't score for nearly three minutes allowing the Eagles to take the lead.

Sims hit a pair from the charity stripe, while Donnie Miller (Newport, Ky.) scored six straight points as Midway took a 61-58 lead with 5:49 left. The Mighty Oaks hit back-to-back buckets to regain the lead, but the Blue and Gold answered and took the lead for good.

A triple from Cory Gardner (Owensboro, Ky.) and a dunk from Miller helped kickstart a 9-3 rally as the Eagles took their largest lead of the contest en route to claiming the 76-71 victory.

The Eagles had three players notch double figures in the win led by Donnie Miller who scored a game-high 21 points as he went 5-of-7 from the charity stripe. Recardo Travis added 17 points going 6-for-12 from the floor, while Raekwon Evans (Louisville, Ky.) chipped in 14 points.

Izaya Sims turned in one of his best performances of the season with eight points and nine rebounds in 27 minutes, while Rico Tate (Memphis, Tenn.) dished out seven assists in the win.

Midway shot 48.3 percent (28-of-58) from the floor and Oakland City finished shooting 44.3 percent (27-of-61).

The Eagles are now scheduled to return to action on Tuesday (Nov. 23) when they travel to New Albany, Ind. to battle IU Southeast (Ind.). Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

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