The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks survived a late Eastern Michigan rally to secure their 28th straight victory, marking their first perfect regular season in program history. This win not only keeps their unbeaten record intact but also cements their dominance in the MAC, a conference they haven’t won since 2022.
The RedHawks’ path to victory wasn’t easy. After building a commanding 50-24 lead with under 18 minutes to play, they watched as Eastern Michigan stormed back with a 26-6 run to cut the deficit to just six points with 8:17 remaining. The intensity of this comeback—led by Greg Lawson’s 29 points—sent shockwaves through Millett Hall, forcing Miami to dig deep and compose themselves under pressure.
The RedHawks responded with disciplined execution down the stretch. Peter Suder‘s interior dominance —he notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds—became pivotal. His timely layup with just under 30 seconds left sealed the game, following critical free throws by Antwone Woolfolk (14 points).
A Perfect Season—and a Statement
Miami (Ohio) is now 28-0, the best start in program history and one of the most dominant seasons ever in mid-major college basketball. Their 15-0 Mid-American Conference record has already clinched the MAC regular-season title, their second in four years. The RedHawks are making a strong case for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament if they fall short in the conference tournament—but based on their performance, they’re aiming for something much bigger.
Their offense, averaging 92.3 points per game (second nationally), is powered by a balanced attack. Four players—Byers, Woolfolk, Suder, and Almar Atlason—average double figures. The team ranks in the top 15 in points per possession, per NCAA.com, largely due to their relentless transition attack and deep shooting. But tonight, that shooting failed them: they made only 5 of 28 three-point attempts (17.9%)—a full 15 percentage points below their season average.
Despite the poor perimeter shooting, Miami’s interior strength carried them. They outrebounded Eastern Michigan 45-34 and scored 40 points in the paint. Suder’s ability to finish through contact and draw fouls (he shot 7 free throws) was particularly crucial during the Eagles’ surge.
Eastern Michigan’s Fight: Too Little, Too Late
The Eagles, despite a 10-19 record, refused to back down. Fueled by Lawson’s 29-point performance—his best in MAC play—they turned this game into an instant classic. Their 26-6 run showcased elite defensive intensity: they forced Miami into contested shots and capitalized on the RedHawks’ rare cold stretch.
Offensively, Eastern Michigan attacked the rim with dribble penetration, drawing 12 fouls and shooting 14-of-17 from the line. Their defense settled in, holding an elite Miami offense to 0.87 points per possession during that critical stretch—a remarkable defensive stand given the RedHawks’ usual efficiency.
But as Lawson himself noted, “It feels like a punch to the gut. We had them. We cut it to six points with eight minutes left. But they’re 28-0 for a reason. They don’t quit, and they made plays when they had to.”
Fan Reactions: Economy of a Small Market & Growing Belief
Attendance in Miami (Ohio) continues to grow, averaging over 85% capacity at Millett Hall. Social media erupted during the game, with Twitter trending #MiamiOhio and #RedHawkNation as fans watched the team’s perfect record nearly slip away.
Emotions in the crowd were palpable. Longtime season-ticket holder Mark Davis, who’s been coming to games since 2018, said, “This is what small-market basketball dreams are made of. They could lose next week, but they’ve already given us something we’ll talk about for decades.”
The question fuels every postgame show: Can Miami (Ohio) become the first mid-major team to run the table in the modern era? They are only the third program since 2015 to enter March unbeaten, joining 2018 Gonzaga and 2016 Kent State.
Key Numbers That Tell the Story
- 28-0: Miami (Ohio) marks the best start in program history and the longest unbeaten streak to open a season in D-I basketball since 2018 Gonzaga (30-0).
- 50-24: Miami’s lead with 17:10 remaining represented their largest of the night, fueled by a dominant first half in which they led 43-22.
- 17.9%: The RedHawks’ 3-point shooting percentage, their second worst of the season and the lowest in over a month.
- 16-10-4: Brant Byers’ final stat line: 16 points (his season average), 10 field goal attempts, and 4 made shots—all on high-efficiency shots, mostly near the paint.
- 12-6: Miami’s record when scoring less than 80 points this year. Normally averaging 92.3, they proved they can win in different styles.
