OXFORD, Ohio (AP) -- Alex Shorts scored 20 points in limited playing time, and Jason Grunkemeyer made four free throws in the final eight seconds to help Miami University hold off Ohio 76-72 Wednesday night. With the win, the RedHawks have secured a first-round MAC Tournament game Monday night at Millett Hall versus an opponent TBA. Game time is 7 p.m.

Doug Davis added 16 points, Julius Johnson 15 and Grunkemeyer 12 for Miami (14-14, 10-7 MAC). Brandon Hunter scored 21, Anthony Jones 17 and Jon Sanderson 11 for Ohio (17-10, 12-6).

Miami led 29-17 at halftime and by double digits most of the second half until Ohio rallied from being 11 down with 3:51 to play.

A 3-pointer by Hunter cut the lead to two with nine seconds left, but Grunkemeyer was fouled immediately and made both free throws. A layup by Jones again cut the lead to two with three seconds to go, and again Grunkemeyer hit both free throws after the foul.

Ohio had won three straight, and Miami had lost two straight.

Fifty-two fouls were called in the game between the two longtime rivals. The 25 against Miami was a season high.

A double technical foul was assessed against Shorts and Hunter after a verbal confrontation seven minutes into the game. Shorts played just 12 minutes in the first half and 11 in the second because of foul trouble.

Miami can improve its tourney seed on Saturday with a win at Bowling Green, a venue it has gone winless at since 1996. The RedHawks could be seeded anywhere from fifth through seventh with a victory. Should Miami lose, it would be seeded eighth and host Akron, which has locked up the No. 9 spot.