Brant Byers scored 16 points to lead four RedHawks in double figures. Peter Suder added 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds as Miami set a program record with its 28th victory of the season. Suder also surpassed the 1,500-point mark for his collegiate career, finishing the night with 1,502 points between his time at Bellarmine and Miami.
Antwone Woolfolk contributed 14 points, including several key baskets late, and Almar Atlason scored 12 points off the bench for the RedHawks, who committed a season-low four turnovers. Gregory Lawson poured in a game-high 29 points to lead Eastern Michigan (10-19, 4-12 MAC).
“I thought our defense has been getting better the last six and a half games — no doubt it’s taken another step,” Miami coach Travis Steele said. “That’s what I wanted to see, and we’re doing that.”
Miami held the Eagles scoreless for the first 6:30 and built an early 12-0 cushion before Eastern Michigan got on the board with 13:26 remaining in the first half. After the Eagles trimmed the deficit to 14-9, Miami responded with a 9-0 run sparked by back-to-back baskets through contact from Byers.
Trey Perry later found Eian Elmer in the left corner for a 3-pointer to make it 26-12, and Byers added another triple from the wing. Woolfolk scored twice in the paint, including a three-point play, to stretch the lead to 34-22. Atlason capped the first half with nine straight points as the RedHawks took a commanding 43-22 advantage into the break.
Miami pushed the margin to 50-24 early in the second half on jumpers from Luke Skaljac and Byers and a cutting layup from Suder off an offensive rebound. But Eastern Michigan answered with a 10-0 run and later cut the deficit to 56-50 with 8:17 to play.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
The RedHawks steadied themselves behind Woolfolk, who converted a push shot and free throw after a bounce pass from Skaljac. Suder scored twice inside and added a coast-to-coast layup following a steal, and Byers buried a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 67-57 with 2:35 remaining.
Woolfolk punctuated the closing minutes with a dunk and two free throws as Miami secured its 13th straight road victory and improved to 15-0 in conference play for the first time in program history.
Miami shot just 5 of 28 from 3-point range but offset that with efficiency elsewhere and ball security.
“We were five of 28 from three — could not throw it in the ocean,” Steele said. “I thought we had some good looks. We were just hitting the backboard, air-balling shots in the first half. Otherwise we’d have been up 30. But our group never lost its composure when things got a little tighter in the second half.”
Steele credited Woolfolk’s defensive effort and late-game poise for helping seal the win.
“I thought Antwone did a phenomenal job,” Steele said. “He did a great job putting pressure on the rim late. None of them are easy in this league. People look at records, but Akron had to hit a game-winner to beat them. They’ve played the best teams in our league tough.”
Miami held Eastern Michigan to 34.4% from the field, the lowest percentage by a MAC opponent against the RedHawks since March 2, 2024 — also at Eastern Michigan.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
“If we keep taking care of the ball and defending like that, we’re not going to lose many games,” Steele said. “We had an off shooting night, but it is what it is. We’ll get back in the gym, get shots up and keep getting better.”
Suder’s all-around performance stood out again. The senior guard added three assists and committed no turnovers in his double-double effort.
“He’s just a very decorated player, very experienced, very productive,” Steele said. “He impacts the game in every way — rebounding, defending, playmaking. He can score it. Peter’s as good as any guard in the country.”
NEXT GAME
Who: Miami at Western Michigan
When: 9 p.m., Friday
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: 980-AM, 1450-AM, 101.5-FM
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