Recap: Miami men’s basketball overcomes Maryland Eastern Shore in final minutes

The Miami University RedHawks men’s basketball team (2-1) delivered a gift for head coach Travis Steele’s 43rd birthday last night with a 88-70 victory over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (1-3).

The final score doesn’t reflect the back-and-forth struggle both teams put up. Sophomore guard Eian Elmer scored 13 points in a row in the final four minutes to ultimately give Miami the victory. He finished with 24 points, a career high, and nine rebounds.

Elmer sank a 3-pointer to put the first points on the board. The RedHawks continued their stretch, and another 3-pointer from Elmer brought them up 10-3 four minutes into the half.

First-year guard Luke Skaljac increased Miami’s lead to 15-5 with three of his own. Hawks graduate student forward Jalen Ware cut that lead to 15-8. Maryland Eastern Shore continued its run, and even with a 3-pointer from Miami junior guard Peter Suder, the RedHawks’ lead was cut to 25-23 after a pair of free throws from junior guard Ketron Shaw.

The teams stayed within four points of each other for several minutes. Redshirt sophomore guard Kam Craft kept the gap at 38-33 with his first 3-pointer of the night. The Hawks got within one of tying after a 4-0 run, including a dunk from junior power forward Christopher Flippin.

Miami staved off the Hawks for the remainder of the first half and went to the locker room up 42-38.

The Hawks scored four unanswered points to tie the game 42-42 early in the second half. Antwone Woolfolk put up five for Miami, but back-to-back 3-pointers from junior guards Cardell Bailey and Jose Cuello kept the Hawks’ advantage.

A free throw from Elmer tied the game again 48-48. Suder regained Miami’s lead with a shot inside the arc. Two minutes later, his second 3-pointer of the night brought the RedHawks up four.

Maryland Eastern Shore kept the game close through the second half, taking the lead 61-60 with 10 minutes left. Craft briefly retook the advantage 63-61 before Shaw tied it up again.

Elmer scored the RedHawks’ next 13 points, including three 3-pointers, while the defense held the Hawks to two. Miami held a 78-68 lead with three-and-a-half minutes left.

Woolfolk scored four in a row to extend their lead. The Hawks mustered up two more points, but Miami ultimately took the victory 88-70.

Miami’s margin of victory arrived in the final minutes of play. Shaw and Bailey put up 48 combined points in the game, but the RedHawks held them to nine in the final 10 minutes.

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Even with the back-and-forth, Steele said he felt that the RedHawks stayed in the game and kept their composure.

“I thought our guys never panicked,” Steele said. “[They] stayed poised the entire time. [UMES] made tough shots, especially in the second half. [Shaw] is hard to defend. I thought we made a good adjustment late, had Eian start top-blocking him everywhere he was going, denying him the ball.”

Elmer’s 24 points led Miami, and his five 3-pointers on seven attempts are the most of his career.

Craft followed Elmer with 18 points, and Woolfolk and Suder put up 14 and 13 points respectively. Miami’s offense boasted five players with nine or more points. Elmer said having depth on the roster will be a huge advantage for the RedHawks this season.

“Coach has all the confidence in us to go out there and make plays,” Elmer said. “We just play as a team on offense, and I think that’s our biggest strength, just moving the ball.”

Miami won’t play at Millett again until Dec. 2. The team faces three road games, with the next being against the University of Michigan Wolverines on Nov. 18.

@thekethan04

babukc2@miamioh.edu