On a frigid night in Kent, Ohio, the Miami University RedHawks men’s basketball team (20-0) entered a hostile sellout crowd at Kent State University’s (14-5) M.A.C. Center. The RedHawks entered the game ranked No. 25 in the nation; a first since the 1998-99 season. The Golden Flashes would be the first test for the nationally-recognized Miami team.
With two minutes left in regulation, the RedHawks trailed by five points. In the final minute, their deficit was four points. But in that last 60 seconds, the team evened the score 92-92, thanks to a last-second layup from sophomore guard Luke Skaljac. Miami forced another overtime one game after downing the University of Buffalo Bulls in third period, and the RedHawks extended their winning streak once more with a 107-101 victory.
In the first half, Miami dominated the pace of play and the scoreline. Senior forward Antwone Woolfolk had arguably the highlight of the half when he jammed home a rim-rattling dunk in front of theKent State student section. On his birthday, Woolfolk would finish with 10 points.
Senior guard Peter Suder came out ready to replicate his season-high performance from the previous game. He punctuated the first half with an acrobatic layup. He lit up the stat sheet all game, leading the team in scoring with 27, assists with 10, and rebounds with eight, nearly a triple-double on the night.
Miami shot 50% from the field in the first half and knocked down five 3-pointers as it scored 48 points. The Golden Flashes were smothered offensively, shooting 39.3%from the field and 27.3% from 3-point range, scoring 34 points.
The RedHawks would enter the locker room with a comfortable 14-point lead, but in the second half, the Kent State offence came alive. Senior forward Rob Whaley Jr. was a dominant force inside. He finished the game with a team-high 27 points and 14 rebounds and backed down nearly every RedHawk defender, getting easy shots inside the paint sparking the comeback for the Golden Flashes.
Junior guard Cian Medley attacked the rim and excelled at getting to the free throw line, which helped him finish with 23 points and a team-high seven assists. Senior guard Morgan Safford scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
In a little over 10 minutes in the second half, the Golden Flashes erased the deficit and took the lead. Junior wing Eian Elmer kept the RedHawks in the game with 25 points, allowing Miami to keep the game close.
The Kent State crowd came alive in the second half as the Golden Flashes hijacked Miami’s momentum. With four minutes left in the contest, Kent State took the lead and would hold it for nearly the rest of regulation. With a minute to go and up 92-88, the Kent State security roped off the court preparing for what seemed to be the inevitable court storming.
As the clock showed 42 seconds remaining, Suder made a layup to cut the lead down to two points. Down 92-90, the RedHawks took a timeout to prepare for a defensive stop. Kent State took the clock down to 13 seconds before a rebound deadball whistle.
On the ensuing inbound, Woolfolk tipped the ball with just 11 seconds left. In a tense environment, the RedHawks showed nerves of steel as Skaljac walked toward the basket for an easy layup with six seconds remaining. The Golden Flashes would not respond and the half ended tied at 92.
For the second game in a row, the undefeated RedHawks would have to win in overtime. In the extra session, Skaljac would take over the game, recording five points, one steal and three rebounds. As Miami tried to extend its lead in overtime, Skaljac nailed a clutch deep 3-pointer which deflated the atmosphere in the arena like a balloon.
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After that basket, the writing was on the wall. Attendees began to slowly shuffle out of the stands. The fervor of the crowd died down as the clock expired, and the security rope an afterthought.
With a final score of 107-101, the RedHawks made quick work of Kent State in overtime. Miami returned to Oxford with a 20-0 record on the season, marking the best start to a season in Mid-American Conference history.
After two grueling overtime games, the RedHawks have one week to rest. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen will travel to Millett Hall on Jan. 27 for a 9 p.m. game.
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