The No. 24 Miami (Ohio) RedHawks preserved their perfect season with a nail-biting 86-84 victory over the UMass Minutemen on Tuesday night, January 27, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio. This win extends Miami’s undefeated record to 21-0, keeping them among the last unbeaten teams in Division I college basketball and tying a Mid-American Conference historical streak.
Junior shooting guard Eian Elmer delivered a career-high performance, scoring 30 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including six three-pointers, and grabbing seven rebounds. His offensive outburst was crucial in overcoming a UMass team that had won four of its previous five games, with Elmer’s 18 first-half points helping Miami stay within striking distance despite trailing for much of the contest.
The game featured several momentum shifts, with UMass building a 65-60 lead midway through the second half before Miami mounted an 8-4 run. Elmer’s three-pointer with 8:40 remaining gave the RedHawks their first lead since the opening minute, setting the stage for a tense finish. Miami managed to extend its advantage to 82-75 with just over two minutes left, but UMass refused to fold easily.
In the final seconds, the Minutemen made a dramatic push, with K’Jei Parker sinking three free throws after being fouled to cut the deficit to a single point. After Miami’s Peter Suder hit one of two free throws, UMass had a chance to tie or win on the last possession, but Isaiah Placide’s desperation half-court shot bounced off the glass as time expired.
This victory marks Miami’s third consecutive close call, following overtime wins in their two previous games, and solidifies their position atop the MAC with a 9-0 conference record. The RedHawks now share the conference’s longest in-season winning streak with the 2001-02 Kent State squad, highlighting their resilience in clutch situations.
For UMass, Leonardo Bettiol led the effort with a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds, supported by Marcus Banks Jr.’s 18 points and Daniel Hankins-Sanford’s 16. Despite the loss, the Minutemen showed competitive spirit, but their record drops to 13-9 overall and 4-6 in MAC play, complicating their postseason aspirations.
Looking ahead, Miami will host Northern Illinois on Saturday, aiming to continue their historic run, while UMass returns home to face Eastern Michigan. The RedHawks’ ability to maintain composure in tight games will be tested as they navigate the remainder of the conference schedule and eye a potential NCAA Tournament bid.
This game underscores the unpredictability of college basketball, with Miami’s undefeated status adding intrigue to the national landscape, especially after fifth-ranked Nebraska’s loss earlier in the night narrowed the field of unbeaten teams.
