Eian Elmer scores career-high 30 as No. 24 Miami (Ohio) edges UMass 86-84

A late surge keeps Miami unbeaten in a tense conference-style test

No. 24 Miami (Ohio) remained unbeaten Tuesday night, January 27, 2026, holding off Massachusetts 86-84 at Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio. The RedHawks improved to 21-0 overall and 9-0 in Mid-American Conference play, while UMass fell to 13-9 and 4-6 in league action.

The game swung repeatedly, with Miami trailing for long stretches before producing a decisive run in the final minutes. A potential game-winning three-point attempt from beyond midcourt at the buzzer missed, sealing a two-point Miami win.

Elmer’s shooting and late free throws shape the finish

Junior wing Eian Elmer delivered a career-high 30 points on 9-for-14 shooting, including 6-for-11 from three-point range, and added seven rebounds. Miami’s offense leaned heavily on perimeter shot-making to erase an early deficit after UMass opened a 22-13 lead in the first half.

Miami played without Luke Skaljac due to illness, increasing the on-ball workload for the remaining rotation. Despite that absence, the RedHawks managed nine turnovers and generated 38 free-throw attempts, converting 28.

Key sequence: an 8-0 Miami burst turns a one-point deficit into control

After the teams traded the lead through the middle of the second half, Miami used an 8-0 run to flip the game. A three-point play by Antwone Woolfolk with 4:19 remaining started the decisive push, turning a 75-74 Miami deficit into an 82-75 advantage.

UMass responded down the stretch, trimming the margin to one point at 85-84 with 8.8 seconds left after K’Jei Parker drew a foul on a three-point attempt and made all three free throws. Miami’s Peter Suder then split a pair of free throws to set the final margin.

UMass production: balanced scoring and a major rebounding edge inside

Massachusetts placed four players in double figures and consistently created extra possessions. Leonardo Bettiol posted 22 points and 16 rebounds, with Marcus Banks Jr. adding 18 points, Daniel Hankins-Sanford scoring 16, and Parker contributing 10. UMass finished with 12 offensive rebounds and a 34-32 overall edge on the glass.

• Final score: Miami (Ohio) 86, UMass 84
• Miami record: 21-0 (9-0 MAC)
• UMass record: 13-9 (4-6 MAC)
• Top scorer: Eian Elmer (30 points)
• UMass double-double: Leonardo Bettiol (22 points, 16 rebounds)

The game ended with UMass attempting a long heave at the buzzer that missed, preserving Miami’s unbeaten start.

Miami’s ability to pair high-volume perimeter scoring with sustained trips to the line proved decisive, while UMass’ offensive rebounding and balanced scoring kept the outcome in doubt until the final possession.