The Miami University men’s basketball team (20-7, 11-3 in conference play) stays at Millett Hall at 7 p.m. tonight against the Northern Illinois University Huskies (5-22, 1-13 in conference play).
This will be the last mid-week game at Millett for the season.
The RedHawks protected their home court on Feb. 25 against the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Despite trailing by six going into the final two minutes of regulation, Miami fought back, and five points from junior guard Peter Suder sent the game into overtime 82-82.
Both teams went back-and-forth in the overtime period, but a pair of free throws from sophomore guard Mekhi Cooper extended Miami’s lead and gave the RedHawks their victory 96-92.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the RedHawks. Before its back-to-back losses against Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan, Miami hadn’t lost more than one game in a row this season.
Suder and sophomore wing Eian Elmer proved to be pivotal for Miami’s success, scoring 22 and 17 points respectively. Suder surpassed 1,000 career points with his two 3-pointers and 10 free throws.
Miami’s victory after consecutive losses turned the ship around, something that the Huskies have been trying to do all season.
Northern Illinois dropped its first six matchups in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, including a 84-69 defeat against the RedHawks. The Huskies took their first conference win over the Ball State University Cardinals on Jan. 25, but they haven’t won since then.
The Huskies lost eight-straight games, including a rematch against the Cardinals that went into overtime. Their 1-13 standing in conference play places them at the bottom of the MAC standings.
In their matchup against the Eastern Michigan University Eagles on Feb. 22, the Huskies held a 48-38 advantage at halftime. Despite a brief comeback from the Eagles, Northern Illinois kept a nine-point lead with seven minutes on the clock.
However, Eastern Michigan outscored the Huskies 18-6 in the final stretch. The Eagles tied the game 76-76 with 15 seconds to go, and a turnover allowed senior guard Jalen Terry to shoot a triple and continue the Huskies’ losing streak.
Even though the team ranks at the bottom of the conference in points (71.5 per game), Northern Illinois boasts the MAC’s top scorer, sophomore guard Quentin Jones, who averages 17.1 points per game.
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The Huskies can also rely on James Dent Jr., who leads the team with 63 3-pointers this season, as well as junior guard Quaran McPherson, who ranks 10th in the MAC with a .390 3-point accuracy.
The RedHawks took their first victory over the Huskies 84-69, their fourth consecutive victory at the time. Miami holds a 36-21 record in the series.
Miami hasn’t lost a game at Millett since Nov. 9, when it dropped a matchup against the Wright State University Raiders. The RedHawks look to keep their streak going against a Northern Illinois team that hasn’t won on the road yet this season.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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