Miami RedHawks Achieve Historic Victory
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — The Miami RedHawks, ranked No. 23 nationally, achieved a significant milestone in their season by defeating Marshall 90-74 at the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge on Saturday. This victory not only improved Miami’s impressive record to 24-0, marking the longest winning streak in Mid-American Conference (MAC) history, but also positioned them among elite company as one of only two undefeated teams in Division I, alongside Arizona.
Key Performers
Eian Elmer led the offensive charge for Miami, contributing 18 points, while Peter Suder followed closely with 17 points. Supporting their efforts, Antwone Woolfolk and Luke Skaljac added 15 and 12 points, respectively, with Skaljac also dishing out seven assists. This triumph comes after a series of nail-biting contests for the RedHawks, three of which were decided by a single possession, including a thrilling 73-71 victory over Buffalo earlier this week.
Game Highlights
Miami started strong against Marshall, who faced the challenge of playing against a ranked opponent at home for the first time in over a decade. The RedHawks capitalized on their scoring prowess, which has made them the leading scoring team in the nation, albeit falling short of their season average of 92.8 points for the fourth consecutive game. They efficiently shot 56% from the field in the opening half, racing to a 49-31 lead by halftime, featuring numerous layups. In contrast, the Thundering Herd struggled, experiencing a ten-minute stretch without a basket at one point, and eventually settled for a 40% shooting performance throughout the game. Marshall’s Erich Harding faced difficulties at the free-throw line, receiving three lane violation calls in the first half.
Final Moments
Although Marshall managed to narrow a 24-point deficit to 65-56 with nine minutes remaining, they were unable to close the gap any further. Noah Otshudi led the Thundering Herd with a notable 23 points, while Wyatt Fricks recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the RedHawks will host Ohio on Friday night, while Marshall prepares for an away game against Old Dominion on Wednesday night. Fans can sign up for alerts regarding the AP Top 25 polls and updates throughout the college basketball season.
