No. 24 Miami (Ohio) improves to a perfect 21-0, surviving an 86-84 thriller against UMass. The RedHawks join Arizona as the nation’s last unbeaten teams and tie a MAC record for the longest in-season winning streak.
In a night that saw the last two unbeaten teams in college basketball fall, No. 24 Miami (Ohio) refused to join the list. The RedHawks rallied from a deficit and held on for a heart-stopping 86-84 victory over UMass on Tuesday night, improving to a perfect 21-0. This win cements their place as one of the nation’s elite and ties a historic Mid-American Conference record.
Miami’s perfect mark stands alongside top-ranked Arizona, which also won to remain unbeaten. Earlier Tuesday, fifth-ranked Nebraska and No. 3 Michigan both suffered losses, leaving the RedHawks and Wildcats as the last two standing in Division I. The victory also ties the 2001-02 Kent State squad for the longest in-season winning streak in MAC history, a powerful statement about the program’s current dominance.
The star of the show was junior shooting guard Eian Elmer, who delivered a career-high 30 points. Elmer was nearly unstoppable, shooting 9-of-14 from the field, including 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. He poured in 18 points in the first half alone to keep Miami in the game, then provided the crucial scoring in the second half during the RedHawks’ decisive run.
Elmer wasn’t alone. Peter Suder added 13 points and a game-high nine assists, while freshman Justin Kirby also chipped in 13 points. This balanced offensive attack has been the hallmark of Miami’s success, and it was on full display as they fought back from a 65-60 deficit to take a lead they would not relinquish.
However, this win was far from easy. UMass (13-9, 4-6) refused to go away, mounting a furious comeback late. After Miami extended its lead to 82-75 with 2:07 remaining, the Minutemen clawed their way back. UMass guard K’Jei Parker sank three crucial free throws with 8.8 seconds left after being fouled at the top of the key, cutting the deficit to a single point.
The tension reached a fever pitch in the final seconds. Suder was fouled and hit the first free throw to make it 83-80, but missed the second. UMass’s Leonardo Bettiol, who finished with a monster line of 22 points and 16 rebounds, secured the offensive rebound. He passed to Isaiah Placide, whose desperate half-court heave at the buzzer clanged off the glass, securing the win for Miami.
This gritty, close-game victory is becoming a signature for this Miami team. It’s the third straight game decided by five points or fewer, including two that went to overtime. The ability to win these types of contests, often through sheer will and resilience, is a trait of championship-caliber teams and suggests they are built for the pressure of March. Their 9-0 record in MAC play demonstrates not just their talent, but their ability to win the games that matter most in their conference.
For Miami, the focus now shifts to Saturday’s home game against Northern Illinois. For the rest of the college basketball world, the question is no longer *if* the RedHawks will lose, but *when*. With each passing game, their perfect season becomes more historic and their position on the national stage becomes more secure. They are not just a good MAC team; they are one of the two best teams in the country, and they are proving it every single night.
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