RedHawks Storm Back, Defeat Kent State 96-92 After Overtime
By: Jack Mueller
(Photos Courtesy of: Megan Walker/Miami Athletics)
Before tip-off on Friday night, CBS Sports’ Pete Dillon asked Kam Craft about the key to the game for Miami. He said:
“Handle Adversity.”
The Miami RedHawks did just that, overcoming a late seven-point deficit to take down the Kent State Golden Flashes 96-92 after overtime. Travis Steele’s team trailed 79-72 with less than three minutes to play, but came all the way back to snatch the victory on home floor.
In front of over 6,000 fans, and a national television audience, Steele was able to showcase a program he’s envisioned from day one. A 20-win basketball team with their eyes on March, and a sold out crowd cheering them on every step of the way. Despite the success, Steele emphasized a statement that has almost become a catchphrase.
“We’re not where we want to be, but we’re not where we were,” said Steele.
Peter Suder has played a big role in those 20 wins, few larger than his contributions on Friday. The junior transfer scored 22 points, including a three off the glass to get Miami within one score, and two free throws to tie it. Suder played the role of player-coach as well, providing words of encouragement before the late Miami run.
“The message was belief.” said Suder “When the whole team believes, we can accomplish anything.”
“Those little moments… player-led teams are so much better than coach-led teams.” said Steele.
He eclipsed the 1,000 point mark with a first-half layup, and finished the night with 1,019 career points.
Suder wasn’t alone on the offensive front. Eian Elmer came up huge for Miami when they needed him most, putting up 17, including a go-ahead three with under a minute to play in overtime. Brant Byers added 12 off the bench, and Antwone Woolfolk contributed 11 of his own on 63% shooting.
The visitors dominated on the glass and in the paint, winning the rebound battle 39-22 and scoring 50 points in the paint. A big reason for that was Delrecco Gillespie, who finished with 20 points and 12 boards. He and Jalen Sullinger (20 points) played the role of party pooper, coming up with clutch shots to make the Millett crowd nervous.
Cian Medley and Cli’ron Hornbeak rounded out the scoring for the Golden Flashes, combining for 36 points.
How It Happened
Trying to write about the first four minutes was a challenge, because so much happened in so little time. The Miami defense started the game on fire, forcing two turnovers on either side of an Antwone Woolfolk block, but Kent State responded with a 5-0 run after Mike Bekelja connected from three. Eian Elmer converted a four-point play after he was fouled on a three, and Peter Suder added two more with a steal and score. Seconds later, Sullinger tied the game with a three of his own, making it 8-8 after the first four minutes.
Delrecco Gillespie and Jamal Sumlin scored a bucket each, but two Brant Byers threes put Miami in the lead at the seven-minute mark. Cli’ron Hornbeak did his best to stop Miami from scoring, blocking two straight shots and scoring four straight, but he couldn’t block three straight threes for the RedHawks, courtesy of Craft, Ipsaro and Elmer.
Jalen Sullinger and Luke Skaljac took over their respective offenses, connecting on two threes each to make it 29-26 Miami. Marquis Barnett tied the game with a three-point play, but a smooth up-and-under from Peter Suder restored Miami’s two-possession lead just two minutes later. That bucket put his career point tally at 1,001, which he extended moments later with a three to make it 38-31.
Antwone Woolfolk finished through contact at the rim to extend the lead to eight right before the three-minute mark in the half. Four free throws from Medley and a Sullinger floater cut that lead to two in the final two minutes.
Then, chaos ensued. Miami was able to force a turnover, giving them the last shot. Woolfolk was given the shot, but had his attempt blocked out of bounds. Steele, alongside everyone in the building, thought the ball would return to the RedHawks. The officials disagreed, giving Medley a chance to cut into the five-point lead. He was fouled, and made his eighth and ninth free throws of the half to send the teams to the break with the RedHawks leading by three.
Kent State started the second half on a 8-0 run after forcing two straight turnovers on the other end. Craft broke the streak from the free-throw line, then Peter Suder added two more after taking a Flagrant-One worthy blow to the head, closing the gap to one.
The RedHawks got rolling from there. Elmer and Potter hit three; Ipsaro got two more under the basket and the 7’1” big man finished a dunk over two defenders to cap off a 10-2 run for the home team. Kent State cut the lead to two from the charity stripe, but Byers hustled after he missed a three and was rewarded with a layup at the rim to make it 63-59.
Kent State retook the lead with an 8-0 run led by four points from Barnett. Mekhi Cooper ended the run and brought Miami within one with a three-point play at the rim. Two free throws from Suder restored Miami’s one point lead, which grew to three after Potter converted a putback layup.
Sullinger responded immediately with a three to tie the game, then Hornbeak and Medley added a layup each to make it a four-point game. VonCameron Davis’ three made it 79-72 with under three minutes to play, giving the RedHawks a mountain to climb.
Climb they did. Woolfolk came out of the timeout and made it a four-point game with an and-one seconds after the whistle. Skaljac did the same after Gillespie scored two of his own at the other end, but missed the free throw. Suder’s second three of the game, off the bank no less, made it 82-80 as the clock ticked under one minute.
“It was kind of luck…I obviously meant to make it.” said Suder.
Medley was forced into a shot as the shot clock wound down, and the ensuing possession sent Suder to the line with the chance to tie the game. He did just that. Medley was given the last shot for the win for Kent State, but Elmer sent it back, sending the game to overtime.
Suder connected on Miami’s first overtime basket in over a year to make it 84-83 before Gillespie responded with two at the other end. He extended Kent State’s lead moments later, converting another and-one to make it 88-86 Golden Flashes. Elmer immediately gave Miami the lead again, hitting a three then blocking a shot to allow Potter to add two more at the rim.
A Davis layup cut the lead to one, and then his team forced a turnover allowing Gillespie to take the lead on a second chance bucket. Not to be outdone, Elmer hit ANOTHER three to make it 94-92 RedHawks with 20 seconds on the clock. The sophomore forward came in clutch again seconds later, forcing Davis out of bounds as he tried to tie the game for Kent State. Mekhi Cooper iced the game from the line, sending Miami home victorious.
Up Next
Steele's team has a short turnaround, but with no travel involved this time. The Northern Illinois Huskies will make the trip down to Oxford for a midweek matchup with the RedHawks on Tuesday night. They are without a win in the month of February, so Miami will be looking to boost their conference record in the business end of the season.