Miami (Ohio) Completes Historic 31-0 Regular Season with Overtime Thriller

ATHENS, Ohio – The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks completed a perfect 31-0 regular season on Friday night, defeating the Ohio Bobcats 110-108 in a thrilling overtime contest. The victory marks the first time a Division I men’s basketball team has finished the regular season undefeated since Gonzaga in 2021.

Elmer Leads the Way with Career Night

Eian Elmer led Miami with a career-high 32 points and 12 rebounds. Peter Suder added 13 points, including five crucial points in overtime, even as Trey Perry contributed 21 points and Brant Byers scored 15.

A Back-and-Forth Battle

The game was a nail-biter from start to finish, with both teams trading leads throughout. Ohio’s Jackson Paveletzke had a career night with 37 points, while Javan Simmons scored 30 and Aidan Hadaway added 20.

With 26 seconds remaining in overtime, Simmons gave Ohio a 108-107 lead. However, Suder responded with two free throws to place Miami ahead, and Justin Kirby sealed the victory with another free throw. Paveletzke had two opportunities to tie or win the game in the final seconds, including a 3-point attempt at the buzzer, but both shots missed.

A Season of Close Calls

Miami’s undefeated season wasn’t without its challenges. The RedHawks have faced numerous close games, with four wins coming by a single possession and two others going to overtime. This victory over Ohio was their first in Athens in 15 years.

Looking Ahead to the MAC Tournament

Despite the remarkable regular season, Miami needs to win the upcoming Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament to guarantee a spot in the NCAA Tournament. As the top seed, they will open the quarterfinals on Thursday in Cleveland. Ohio’s seeding in the tournament will be determined after the completion of league games this weekend.

Key Takeaways

• Miami (Ohio) finished the regular season with a perfect 31-0 record.
• Eian Elmer had a career-high 32 points and 12 rebounds.
• This is the first undefeated regular season in Division I men’s basketball since Gonzaga in 2021.
• Miami is the top seed in the MAC tournament.