When the Miami University RedHawks men’s basketball team last visited the Northern Illinois University Huskies in 2023, Anderson Mirambeaux saved the day with a last-minute 3-pointer to send the game into overtime. Mirambeaux’s two free throws gave Miami a narrow 66-65 victory.
Tonight, the RedHawks took a wider 84-69 victory over the Huskies 84-69 in DeKalb, Illinois. The win continues Miami’s undefeated record in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play.
For the fourth time this season, five RedHawks scored in the double digits. Redshirt first-year wing Brant Byers paved the way with 17 points, followed by junior guard Peter Suder with 15, sophomore wing Eian Elmer with 13, junior forward Antwone Woolfolk with 12 and sophomore guard Mekhi Cooper with 11.
Elmer opened the scoring with a layup, but the Huskies kept Miami from the net for two minutes to take a 7-2 lead in the first half. Woolfolk brought the RedHawks within one point after five minutes of play, and a 3-pointer from Byers gave them a 13-11 lead.
Miami kept the advantage for most of the first half. Redshirt first-year forward Tsvet Sotirov briefly tilted the game back in the Huskies’ favor, but a 14-11 run sent the RedHawks to the locker room up 48-42 at half.
Ten minutes into the second half, Northern Illinois scored 14 to Miami’s 16 and trailed 64-56. Byers’ fifth 3-pointer of the night gave the RedHawks a 12-point lead, which they added onto through the remaining minutes.
Two free throws from Suder closed the game out with a final score of 84-69. Suder made seven free throws, his highest of the season, while sophomore guard Evan Ipsaro shot 6-6. As a team, Miami made 22 free throws on 26 attempts, its most of the season.
Sophomore guard Quentin Jones led the Huskies with 21 points. Sotirov and senior guard James Dent Jr. contributed 13 and 12 points respectively.
The team turned the ball over a season-high 19 times. Woolfolk and sophomore center Reece Potter had four turnovers each.
The RedHawks are 4-0 in MAC play for the first time since the 2005-06 season. They stay on the road this weekend against the reigning MAC champions in the Kent State University Golden Flashes.
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