Miami (Ohio) Beats SMU 89-79 : March Madness First Four
The 11th-seeded RedHawks (32-1) entered the tournament as one of the most debated teams in recent history. Despite an unblemished 31-0 regular season, their loss in the MAC Tournament opener to UMass and a strength-of-schedule ranking of 339th led many analysts to question their at-large credentials. On Wednesday, those questions were answered with 16 made three-pointers as Miami (Ohio) Beats SMU 89-79 in a statement First Four performance.
Junior wing Eian Elmer led the charge, exploding for 23 points on 6-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. Miami’s “five-out” offensive set proved a nightmare for SMU’s interior-focused defense. By stretching the floor, the RedHawks neutralized the Mustangs’ size advantage early.
“The message to our guys was to leave no doubt about who the more attacking team was,” said Miami head coach Travis Steele. “I think that was evident from the jump ball.”
Brant Byers added 19 points, including four triples, while sophomore guard Luke Skaljac controlled the tempo with 17 points and a series of transition assists that kept SMU on its heels.
Smu’s Comeback Falls Short
The Mustangs (20-14), making their first tournament appearance in nine years, struggled without star defender B.J. Edwards (ankle). Despite the absence, SMU managed a brief lead early in the second half, 49-48, thanks to a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double from freshman center Jaden Toombs.
However, the RedHawks’ efficiency was too much to overcome. A transition three from Skaljac extended the lead to 71-57 midway through the second half, and SMU’s comeback hopes faded when 7-foot-2 center Samet Yigitoglu fouled out with 1:31 remaining.
Prairie View A&M Makes History Against Lehigh
In the evening’s opening contest, No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M (19-17) earned a milestone 67-55 victory over Lehigh, marking the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. Earlier in the day, fans were treated to another thrilling matchup as Miami (Ohio) Beats SMU 89-79, showcasing the RedHawks’ sharp shooting and high-paced offense.
The Panthers relied on a relentless defensive effort that forced 16 turnovers and held Lehigh’s star guard, Nasir Whitlock, scoreless for the first 27 minutes of the game. Whitlock, the Patriot League Tournament MVP who averaged 21 points per game this season, finished with just five points on 2-of-15 shooting.
Key Performers For The Panthers
- Dontae Horne: The senior guard played all 40 minutes, racking up a game-high 25 points, seven rebounds, and four steals.
- Cory Wells: Contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds, providing the interior presence needed to match Lehigh’s Hank Alvey.
- Lance Williams: Added 10 points and anchored a defense that recorded 12 steals and nine blocks.
Lehigh (18-17) led 29-27 at the half, but a 7-1 Panther run to open the second period shifted the momentum permanently. Alvey finished with a heroic 23 points and 15 rebounds, but the lack of secondary scoring proved fatal for the Mountain Hawks.
Looking Ahead: The Round Of 64
The First Four winners now face daunting challenges in the first round on Friday:
| Team | Seed | Opponent | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (Ohio) | No. 11 | No. 6 Tennessee | Midwest |
| Prairie View A&M | No. 16 | No. 1 Florida | South |
Miami (Ohio) will travel to face a physical Tennessee squad, while Prairie View A&M earns a date with the defending national champion Florida Gators.
For the RedHawks, the victory over an ACC opponent like SMU serves as validation. For the Panthers, it is a historic step forward for the program. Both teams proved that in March, resumes matter far less than who plays better for 40 minutes.
