KENT, Ohio — Perfection traveled to hostile ground, got shoved to the brink, and somehow walked out standing.
Miami (Ohio) stared down a fierce rival, erased a late deficit, forced overtime and outlasted Kent State inside the MAC Center on Tuesday night. The 107-101 win keeps a dream season alive, pulling out a gritty rivalry victory that said as much about resolve as it did rankings.
The No. 25 RedHawks improve to 20-0 overall and 8-0 in Mid-American Conference play, while Kent State drops to 14-5 and 5-2 in league action after letting one slip away at home.
Miami now owns the record for best start in conference history.
For a program that hasn’t lived in the national spotlight in a long time, Miami didn’t blink when the moment demanded poise. Down late in regulation, the RedHawks executed, defended and refused to rush. Overtime belonged to the visitors, who imposed their will with connected defense and steady guard play, quieting a building that rarely sends opponents home happy.
This win fits neatly into what has become a growing résumé. Miami already owns a home victory over Akron and road wins at Toledo and now Kent State — the kind of profile that separates a fun story from a legitimate contender in a one-bid league.
With 11 regular-season games remaining before the MAC tournament, the RedHawks have ensured at least another week living as college basketball’s favorite kind of disruptor: the mid-major with a target on its back and no interest in flinching.
Coach Travis Steele’s imprint is everywhere. Miami plays fast without being reckless, shares the ball, and guards with purpose. The offense leans on smart spacing and fearless guards, led by Brant Byers, Evan Ipsaro and Peter Suder, a trio comfortable making plays late and just as willing to make the extra pass.
Forward Almar Atlason continues to provide balance and toughness inside, while Antwone Woolfolk has been relentless on the glass, turning possessions into pressure.
In an era dominated by NIL arms races and transfer-portal roulette, Miami’s rise feels refreshing. The RedHawks look connected, bought in and unconcerned with labels. They don’t win on hype. They win on execution, discipline and a belief that doesn’t crack when a rival punches first.
Call them schedule merchants or a product of a weak conference if you wish. The RedHawks have as much heart as any team in America and keep finding ways to win.
This team is damn good. The RedHawks force you to play near perfect to beat them and so far, no one has been able to knock them off their perch of perfection.
Kent State threw plenty of punches Tuesday night. Miami absorbed them all, answered late and finished the job in overtime. Perfect seasons don’t survive on talent alone, and Cinderella stories don’t last without substance.
Twenty games in, Miami has both — and after surviving Tuesday night Kent, the RedHawks look more like a problem than a novelty.
This team has all the ingredients for a surprise win in March at the NCAA Tournament. If the RedHawks keep rolling, they might even find themselves in a single digit seed and making a Cinderella run.
Miami joins Arizona in the final pair of unbeaten teams across the sport. The RedHawks continue their storybook season next Tuesday against UMass at home, with Saturday off to rest and recover from back to back overtime wins over Buffalo and Kent State.
Keep an eye on the RedHawks, this team is only getting started.
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