COL BKB: Oregon 58, Miami (Ohio) 56

SPOKANE, Wash., March 16 (UPI) -- Aaron Brooks had 18 points and five assists Friday as 18th-ranked Oregon edged Miami (Ohio), 58-56, in a first-round NCAA Tournament Midwest Region game.

Oregon extended a 25-22 halftime lead to 46-38 with 8:55 left. That lead was just large enough to thwart a Miami comeback in the final eight minutes.

Miami came within 54-53 with only 48 seconds remaining, but was unable to grab the lead.

Bryce Taylor had 14 points and five rebounds, and Maarty Leunen added 13 points and seven rebounds for the third-seeded Ducks (27-7), who increased their winning streak to seven games and face upstart Winthrop in the second round Sunday.

Tim Pollitz led Miami with 21 points and five rebounds. Michael Bramos added 18 points and three assists for the 14th-seeded RedHawks (18-15), who had won the Mid-American Conference Tournament.