Miami University men’s basketball (19-6, 10-2 in conference play) faces its second-consecutive road game in Michigan at 7 p.m. tonight when the RedHawks face the Eastern Michigan University Eagles (12-13, 5-7 in conference play).
For the second time this season, the RedHawks will face the Eagles one game after a loss in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play.
Miami’s first matchup with Eastern Michigan followed the team’s first conference loss to the University of Akron Zips on Jan. 25. Going into the game, the RedHawks held a 56-29 record and a two-game winning streak against the Eagles.
Six RedHawks scored in the double-figures to bring them a 89-80 victory and kickstart a five-game winning streak. Junior forward Antwone Woolfolk posted a double-double with a season-high 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Miami’s run included a non-conference victory against the Troy University Trojans and two wins over top-ranked MAC teams: the No. 5 Ohio University Bobcats and the No. 3 University of Toledo Rockets.
However, the RedHawks took their second loss in MAC play when they fell 78-70 to the Western Michigan University Broncos on Feb. 17.
Despite holding a 32-30 lead at half, the RedHawks allowed the Broncos to take a 57-47 lead with 10 minutes remaining. The Broncos kept their lead consistent, even taking a 16-point advantage going into the final five minutes.
Redshirt first-year wing Brant Byers led Miami with 19 points, including three 3-pointers, while Mekhi Cooper and Woolfolk combined for 23 points. However, two of Miami’s top scorers remained scoreless against the Broncos.
After his 40-point performance one game prior, redshirt sophomore wing Kam Craft shot 0-6 on field goals. Sophomore wing Eian Elmer joined him by shooting 0-4, his first game this season without any points.
In comparison, the Eagles followed their loss to the RedHawks with two more losses. They ended their losing streak against the Sun Belt Conference’s Old Dominion University Monarchs.
Eastern Michigan fell short 86-84 in overtime against the Ball State University Cardinals. However, when the team welcomed the Rockets on Feb. 15, senior guard Jalen Terry scored a season-high 38 points to give the Eagles a 80-73 victory.
Terry and senior forward Da’Sean Nelson average 16 points per game, the third and fourth highest in the MAC. Junior guard Christian Henry eludes the top 10, but his 14.6 points per game average is good for 11th in the conference.
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Despite boasting some of the conference’s best offensive players, the Eagles allow opponents to score 77.3 points on average, the third-most in the MAC.
Miami has won 10 conference games for the first time since the 2010-11 season, but head coach Travis Steele expressed in a post-game press conference that the team’s sights are set on Cleveland in March.
A rebound from Saturday’s loss against the Eagles tonight will bring the RedHawks back on track if they hope to make a deep postseason push in one month.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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