AMHERST, Mass. – Peter Suder recorded a game-high 23 points, while three other RedHawks scored in double figures as the Miami University men’s basketball team (26-0, 13-0 MAC) seized an 86-77 victory at UMass Tuesday night. Isaiah Placide had a team-high 19 points for the Minutemen (15-12, 6-8 MAC). With this win, the Red and White set a new school record of 26 wins in a single season.

How it Happened:


Suder opened the contest with eight early points, as he got to the free-throw line, scored a mid-range jumper and knocked down a three to give the RedHawks a 13-4 lead. Deep shots on back-to-back possessions from Justin Kirby and Trey Perry kept Miami in control at 19-11. The Minutemen answered by closing in on the lead, as they made it a 22-18 ballgame with 10:46 remaining in the first half.
Numerous layups from Suder, Eian Elmer and Almar Atlason kept the RedHawks ahead 30-25. Perry got to the free-throw line and added a shot off the glass to stay ahead of UMass 34-28. A shot from near the logo by Brant Byers, as well as free throws from Byers and Elmer, sent Miami into the break with a 41-36 advantage.
Luke Skaljac backed his way into the paint for a layup and sank a turnaround jumper the next possession to fend off the Minutemen coming out of halftime. UMass closed within just one point at 48-47. The Red and White responded with an 8-1 run, as Byers and Suder each put in a shot from behind the three-point line to fuel Miami to a 56-48 lead. UMass evened the score at 60 apiece and claimed its first lead of the game at 62-60 with 9:24 to play.
Atlason buried a deep three from the left wing and scored a traditional three-point play the following possession to separate from the Minutemen at 67-63. With just over seven minutes to play, UMass evened the score for the last time at 68-68. A corner triple from Elmer, as well as a pair of interior shots from Suder, one of which he was fouled on, kept Miami ahead 76-70. The RedHawks closed out the game by making 8-of-10 from the free-throw line to leave the Mullins Center with an 86-77 victory.


Game Notes:


 The Red and White shot 50% or better from the field (26-of-52) for the 20th time this season and recorded under 10 turnovers (seven) for the 10th time this season.
Miami is 13-0 in conference play for the first time in program history.
The RedHawks scored 14 points off turnovers, whereas the Minutemen totaled just three.
Miami recorded nine fast-break points, while UMass didn’t score any points in transition.
Elmer, Suder and Woolfolk each contributed two steals.
Skaljac’s seven assists were the most of the game.
The Red and White had 33 attempts from the free-throw line, in comparison to just 16 attempts from the hosts.


Up Next:

Miami returns to Millett Hall to host Bowling Green on Friday, Feb. 20 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.