RedHawks Remain Undefeated with 86-77 Victory at Ball State

Saturday, December 20

Muncie, Ind.

2 p.m.

Miami University

12-0,1-0MAC

Ball State

3-9,0-1MAC

Miami (OH)

Ball St.

Photo by: Megan Walker

RedHawks Remain Undefeated with 86-77 Victory at Ball State

12/20/2025 4:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Miami University men's basketball team (12-0, 1-0 MAC) took down Ball State (3-9, 0-1 MAC) 86-77 at Worthen Arena to earn its first conference victory on Saturday afternoon. Almar Atlason led all players with 26 points, while Eian Elmer (20), Brant Byers (16) and Peter Suder (10) added double digits in scoring. Elmore James led the Cardinals with 20 points.

How it Happened:

A Suder triple from the left wing and a driving layup from Evan Ipsaro put Miami ahead 5-2 at the start. The Cardinals went on to take the lead, but an Atlason three and a baseline drive from Byers that led to a shot off the glass through contact kept the RedHawks within striking distance at 12-10. Despite the Cardinals' push to pull away, Elmer rattled off a pair of shots from beyond the arc and attacked the rim for a layup to trail by just one point at 23-22 with 7:35 before halftime.
Elmer stayed hot from the top of the three-point line, knocking down his third deep shot of the day, and Antwone Woolfolk finessed his way into the paint with a spin move to help Miami reclaim the lead at 27-26. Byers sank back-to-back threes, and Atlason joined in on the three-point barrage to keep the RedHawks above the Cardinals 36-33. Atlason made two free throws, and Suder flew past his defender for a layup with just seconds remaining on the game clock to send Miami into the intermission with a 40-36 advantage.
Byers opened the second half by driving down the right line and using his left hand for a layup. Miami stayed hot from behind the three-point line, as Suder and Elmer each put in a three on consecutive possessions to take a 50-39 lead. Numerous free throws from Suder, Byers and Elmer helped fend off the Cardinals at 56-47. Ball State closed within just two points at 60-58 before two more free throws from Elmer and Atlason's third three of the game pushed the Redhawks back on top 65-58 with eight minutes of action remaining.
The Cardinals continued to make it difficult on the Red and White, as they closed within three at 65-62. Elmer ended Ball State's scoring run at 67-62 with a jumper, and Atlason responded by scoring 15 straight points for the RedHawks to fend off the Cardinals at 82-71. Byers and Luke Skaljac ended the game by each knocking down shots at the free-throw line to take down Ball State 86-77.

Game Notes:

The RedHawks went 13-of-24 (54.2%) from behind the arc (third time this season Miami has shot over 50% from beyond the arc).
Miami shot 21-of-22 (95.5%) from the free-throw line (highest percentage since Nov. 11, 2024 at Appalachian State).
This is the fifth consecutive game that Miami has shot at least 50% from the field.
Miami recorded 33 rebounds in comparison to just 24 from the Cardinals.

Up Next:
Miami returns home to host Milligan on Monday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m.