DAYTON, Ohio — Eian Elmer scored 22 points and Miami (Ohio) beat SMU 89-79 on Wednesday night in the First Four for its first NCAA Tournament victory in 27 years.
Elmer went 6 of 9 from 3-point range as the 11th-seeded RedHawks (32-1), unbeaten during the regular season, advanced in the Midwest Region to play No. 6 seed Tennessee.
Brant Byers added 19 points, including four 3s, and Luke Skaljac had 17 for Miami, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.
Eian Elmer celebrates after a dunk during the second half of Miami (Ohio’s) 89-79 win over SMU in a First Four game of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 18, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio. Getty Images
The RedHawks finished 16 of 41 from 3-point range.
Miam (Ohio) player Brant Byers shoots a jumper during the second half of their win over SMU during a First
Four game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Jackson Kotecki and Peter Suder hug and celebrate with teammates after the Redhawks’ win over the Mustangs. Getty Images
Jaden Toombs led SMU (20-14) with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 18 points and Boopie Miller had 15 for the Mustangs.