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Final Score: Miami (OH) 89, SMU 79.
It is easy to see why Miami (OH) won so many close games this season. Just when it seemed SMU was getting back into the game, the Redhawks made a bunch of little plays that led to big plays. An offensive rebound leads to an Eian Elmer three late to push a 78-71 game to ten points. Head Coach Travis Steele later calls a shrewd timeout and draws up a great play leading to an Elmer dunk. Miami (OH) dictated the style of play in the first half with 25 three-point attempts and set a First-Four record with 41 total attempts, making 16 of them (39%). Due to its size, SMU had a 46-20 advantage with points in the paint, but shot 13 threes in the first half. While SMU got the game into more of the halfcourt and even tied the game in the second half, SMU forced some bad jumpers while Miami (OH) capitalized on mistakes and extended some key possessions. The more disciplined team won. Congrats to the Redhawks, which get its first tournament win since 1999 and will now play Tennessee on Friday. After dazzling first halves, Elmer (23 points) and Luke Skaljac (17 points) had some big baskets at opportune times in the second half. Brant Byers finished with 19 points, 15 of which came in the first half, while Peter Suder played a tremendous game, with his impact going beyond his stats (7 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists). Make the jump to see the game's final stats and read the live reactions throughout tonight's game.
Final Four Minutes Live Reactions
SMU timeout. Miami (OH) leads 86-79 after a Boopie Miller three with 32.7 seconds left. Miller has come to life with seven quick points, too late, though.
Miami (OH) takes a timeout, leading 85-76 with 41 seconds left. Miami (OH) just got a big basket on a well-designed out-of-timeout play, leading to a back cut dunk for Elmer, who has been plagued by foul trouble but scored eight big points late in the game.
Miami (OH) takes a timeout, leading 83-76 with 1:10 remaining. Great timeout by Coach Travis Steele as Elmer was trapped at the halfcourt sideline.
Second Half, Under-4 Live Reactions
Miami (OH) leads 78-68 with 3:16 remaining. Elmer just hit a big three late in the shot clock for his first points of the second half. The make ends a 7-0 run by SMU and two-minute scoring drought for the Redhawks. SMU was crawling back into the game by having Pierre get to the post off the dribble. Pierre, though, just took and missed a maddening three. Boopie Miller has not scored this half for SMU. Miami (OH) will have the ball with five seconds left on the shot clock.
Miami (OH) timeout. The Redhawks lead 75-64 with 5:22 remaining. Suder has four fouls but is staying on the floor.
Second Half, Under-8 Live Reactions
SMU Timeout. Miami (OH) leads 71-57 with 7:15 to go. Skaljac just hit a transition three on a rushed Miller shot. Miller was likely fouled. The Redhawks have only gotten 10 three-pointers up this half, but are still making a key little play here and there. Reserve Almar Atlason has two big makes from deep this half. SMU got this game tied by going inside but started settling for jumpers. The Mustangs were hanging around a ten-point deficit thanks to the free throw line, where the foul calls have evened out. Yet SMU's lack of discipline, including three turnovers, is hurting the Mustangs as was the case in the first half.
Second Half, Under-12 Live Reactions
SMU takes a timeout with 11:40 remaining. Miami (OH) leads 58-50. The Redhawks are on an 8-0 run and just hit a three off an offensive rebound. SMU has resorted to bad shots the past two possessions, which can't be done against Miami (OH). MAC player of the year Peter Suder is having his imprint all over this half with his all-around game, especially his passing. He did not score during the first half, but is making a lot of winning plays. Elmer is out with three fouls. Skaljac and he have not scored this half. SMU must get back to patient offense off of the block.
Miami (OH) leads 53-50 with 12:51 remaining as officials review an out-of-bounds call against SMU. The Redhawks just got its first three of the second half from Beyers to break a 50-50 game. SMU is doing a great job posting and cutting down the middle of the lane. Miami (OH) does not seem to have the emotional energy as the Redhawks did during an emotional first half. However, a made three seems to get this team going. Now fouls are piling up. Miami (OH) is already shooting the one-and-one; the Redhawks have committed four fouls. SMU has been much more disciplined this half after not showing such discipline in the first 20 minutes. SMU wins the challenge and will receive the ball.
Officials are reviewing for a potential flagrant foul on SMU, which has tied the game at 47 with 13:54 remaining. SMU is on a 13-4 run, and Miami (OH) has hit just one field goal so far this half. Give the Mustangs credit. They are picking up the half-court defense and going inside offensively. Sam Walters with the last 5 points for SMU.
Second Half, Under-16 Live Reactions
Miami (OH) leads 47-42 with 15:52 remaining. The Mustangs need to keep going inside to center Jaden Toombs, who is 6-for-6 from the field and has 14 points. The Mustangs Jarron Pierre Jr. has made some plays tonight but is also killing SMU with some questionable shots. Miami (OH) has not hit a three this half (0/2), but is getting some favorable calls. SMU has already been called for 6(!) fouls this half, with Byers drawing two questionable calls on the Mustangs.
Halftime: Miami (OH) 43, SMU 34.
Miami (Ohio) is 10/25 (40%) from three and on pace for 50 three-point attempts. Miami (OH) sophomore Brant Beyers got hot late in the half, hitting two threes and getting an And-One with the free throw. SMU got hot for a bit but is still down 9 (and is just 3-for-13 from three). No way the Mustangs win this game, and no way Miami (OH) should have been in the First Four. This is a very well-connected team with incredible chemistry, hustle and cutting. SMU is more physically gifted, but Miami (OH) does not hesitate on open looks and creates second-chance threes by crashing on the weak side. Defensively, Miami (OH) may give up baskets due to athletic limitations but when SMU is forced to run some offense, the Red Hawks do a great job hedging, trapping and gang rebounding. I am very impressed with this team. This is how you beat a bigger and more talented team. Space them out and hit threes. This team kind of reminds me of the Davidson team with Steph Curry that got to the Elite Eight back in 2008. Of course, Miami (OH) does not have a Steph Curry talent, but they do have a bunch of smart, role players who are always in the right spot. Miami (OH) has more outside shooters than Davidson, which relied on the incomparable Curry's shooting. Here are the halftime stats.
First Half, Under-4 Live Reactions
Timeout Miami (OH) with the Red Hawks leading 34-30 with 2:57 to go. SMU has scored on seven straight possessions, with Boopie Miller hitting two threes. However, the Red Hawks have hit four threes during this stretch, as SMU went from man-to-man to zone. Miami (OH) is doing a great job getting offensive rebounds off missed threes. This game is taking on the feel of a playground game, which seems to benefit SMU. Elmer is 5-for-7 with 14 points while Skaljac is 5-for-6 with 12 points.
First Half, Under-8 Live Reactions
Miami (OH) leads 20-13 with 7:41 to go. Elmer has 11 points so far while SMU has missed 10 of its last 11 shots. SMU"s Samet Yigitoglu is called for an over-the-back on an offensive rebound attempt. The crowd is obviously one-sided toward Miami (OH), and SMU seems to be unraveling with its decision-making. Miami (OH) is really aggressive and selective with its defensive trapping, with the Red Hawks' players seemingly always in the right spot.
Timeout SMU. Miami (OH) leads 20-13 with 8:12 to go. Great defense at the rim by Antwone Woolfolk leads to a transition three by Eian Elmer, who has hit two so far. SMU follows up with a sloppy turnover, leading to an incredible Miami (OH) layup in transition. SMU does not seem disciplined enough to win this game. Miami (OH) may not be as big or athletic, but the Red Hawks seem to be the scrappier, smarter and more opportune team.
First Half, Under-12 Live Reactions
Miami (OH) leads 15-13 with 9:19 to go. A lot of threes are being jacked and missed, with long offensive rebounding opportunities for both teams. Miami (OH) is 3/12 from three; SMU is 0/7. 10 of 13 SMU's points have come inside yet the Mustangs are continuing to shoot threes. Why? Terrible shot selection by SMU is keeping Miami (OH), which is playing great help defense, in the game. SMU did not score for three minutes-plus at one point during this stretch.
First Half, Under-16 Live Reactions
The game is tied at 7 with 15:56 to go. Miami (Ohio) wants to put up 40 threes tonight. So far, they are 1/4, with Luke Skaljac having the only make. Miami (Ohio) has already picked up three team fouls. SMU made it a point to go inside early but fell in love with several threes (0/3). However, the Mustangs have 4 points on offensive rebounds. Size versus shooting defines this game.
Pregame Prediction: Miami (Ohio)
Miami (OH) was a controversial at-large selection after starting the year 31-0 but losing in its first game of the Mid-American Conference. The Red Hawks deserved an at-large as winning 31 straight games is no easy feat, with a fair share of those games close at the end. SMU was two games below .500 in the ACC but received the last at-large bid with the expectation that guard B.J. Edwards will be playing tonight. Update: Edwards will not be playing. Expect Miami (OH) to quiet the critics, especially with this game in Dayton, Ohio, which is about 50 minutes away from the Red Hawks' campus.
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