Lead: Miami (Ohio) secured a First Four victory in Dayton on Wednesday, beating SMU 89-79 to reach the NCAA Tournament first round and set up an 11-seed matchup with No. 6 Tennessee in Philadelphia on Friday. The RedHawks’ balance was led by Eian Elmer, Luke Skaljac and Brant Byers, who combined for 59 points and a barrage of long-range attempts that overwhelmed SMU. Earlier questions about Miami (Ohio)’s resume after a loss to UMass in the MAC tournament quarterfinal gave way to celebration when the RedHawks won their first NCAA Tournament game since 1999. In a separate First Four game, Prairie View A&M notched its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory, defeating Lehigh 67-55 behind a 25-point second half from Dontae Horne.
Key takeaways
- Miami (Ohio) beat SMU 89-79 in Dayton on Wednesday, advancing to face No. 6 Tennessee in Philadelphia on Friday.
- The RedHawks’ trio (Eian Elmer, Luke Skaljac, Brant Byers) combined for 59 points and collectively knocked down multiple 3-pointers; Miami attempted a First Four record 41 three-pointers.
- Eian Elmer led Miami with 23 points (6-of-9 from 3), Brant Byers had 19 (4-of-9 3FG) and Luke Skaljac added 17 (3-of-5 from distance); Almar Orri Atlason contributed 12.
- SMU was paced by Jaden Toombs (20), Jarron Pierre Jr. (18), Boopie Miller (15) and Corey Washington (13); B.J. Miller did not play, listed out “out of an abundance of caution.”
- Prairie View A&M beat Lehigh 67-55; Dontae Horne scored all 25 of his points in the second half and Cory Wells recorded a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double with three steals and three blocks.
- Lehigh’s Hank Alvey had a 23-point, 15-rebound game (8-of-13), but Nasir Whitlock was held to five points on 2-of-15 shooting.
- Prairie View extended its winning streak to eight games and will face Florida in Tampa on Friday.
Background
The RedHawks entered the NCAA field amid debate after losing to UMass in the Mid-American Conference tournament quarterfinal; that was Miami (Ohio)’s only defeat of the season. The selection committee placed Miami in a First Four pairing that offered a chance to validate the at-large berth. Miami’s program hadn’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 1999, when Wally Szczerbiak starred for the RedHawks, so the Dayton matchup carried historical weight for the school and its fans.
SMU arrived in Dayton without B.J. Miller, its second-leading scorer, who was held out following an ankle issue earlier in the season; the Mustangs relied on Jaden Toombs and Jarron Pierre Jr. to shoulder the scoring load. Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M came into the First Four on the back of a late-season surge and an eight-game winning streak, seeking the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history against a Lehigh team led inside by Hank Alvey and on the wing by Nasir Whitlock.
First Four games are often high-leverage showings for lower-seeded programs or bubble teams trying to prove belonging in the main draw. Dayton’s UD Arena routinely hosts a partisan but accessible crowd; for Miami (Ohio), the proximity made it effectively a home window to the national stage. For Prairie View, the matchup offered a rare national spotlight and a test of whether its defensive identity could carry into postseason play.
Main event
The Miami–SMU game opened with a fast tempo and frequent scoring changes, but Miami’s shooters began to pull away in the first half. Elmer, Skaljac and Byers launched a steady stream of triples that allowed the RedHawks to lead 43-34 at halftime. Miami’s perimeter barrage forced SMU to play catch-up; the RedHawks attempted 41 threes, an NCAA First Four record for attempts in a single game.
SMU fought back in the second half, briefly taking a 49-48 lead with about 14:15 remaining, but Miami answered with critical makes. Peter Suder — the MAC Player of the Year — hit a key three to flip momentum, and Miami followed with consecutive long-range scores that reopened a multi-possession advantage. SMU’s 7-foot-1 center Samet Yigitoglu picked up his fourth foul later in the half and eventually fouled out, limiting the Mustangs’ interior counterpunch.
Individually, Elmer finished with 23 points (6-of-9 on threes), Byers had 19 (4-of-9 threes) and Skaljac added 17 (3-of-5 threes); Almar Orri Atlason contributed 12. SMU’s Toombs led his team with 20 points, supported by Pierre (18), Boopie Miller (15) and Corey Washington (13). Miami made timely offensive decisions in pressure moments to preserve the lead and secure the win.
In Dayton’s other First Four contest, Prairie View’s defense clamped down in the second half to turn a 29-27 halftime deficit into a 67-55 victory. Dontae Horne erupted for all 25 of his points after the break, while Cory Wells dominated the glass and altered shots on the other end. A decisive defensive sequence with 6:22 left — including a fumble, a scramble and a subsequent shot-clock violation by Lehigh — swung momentum firmly toward the Panthers.
Lehigh’s Alvey produced a strong individual performance with 23 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, but the Mountain Hawks could not get Nasir Whitlock going; he finished 2-of-15 from the floor and was scoreless in the first half. Prairie View changed the game’s rhythm with offensive rebounding, a three-quarter-court press, and interior defensive rotations that limited Lehigh’s post feeds late in the game.
Analysis & implications
Miami’s win validates the selection committee’s decision to include the RedHawks despite the late-season loss in the MAC tournament. The victory showcased a high-volume, frontier-style shooting attack centered on confident perimeter shooting; the RedHawks’ willingness to launch from distance dictated pace and spacing. Against Tennessee on Friday, Miami’s shooting will need to co-exist with inside defense and rebounding, as the Volunteers profile as a deeper, more athletic SEC squad with size.
The reliance on three-point shooting is a double-edged sword: when those shots fall, Miami can outscore opponents quickly, but variance-heavy shooting can be neutralized by turnovers, offensive rebounds, or a hot opposing frontcourt. Miami’s defense and ability to limit second-chance points will be decisive against Tennessee’s front-line play and transition scoring. The RedHawks’ confidence after breaking a 27-year drought of NCAA wins may also provide psychological momentum.
Prairie View’s victory has program-level significance: it is the school’s first NCAA Tournament win, and it extends a late-season surge to eight straight. The Panthers’ tactical switch to pressure defense and greater offensive rebounding in the second half illustrates in-game adaptability — a quality that could trouble Florida’s tempo if sustained. However, facing a program like Florida will test Prairie View’s depth, ability to handle pick-and-roll coverages, and foul management against superior size.
At a tournament level, these First Four outcomes reinforce the role of play style and momentum in single-elimination formats. Both Miami and Prairie View rode hot stretches and defensive adjustments to advance; neither result was purely the product of seeding, underscoring how matchups and execution on a given day shape March outcomes.
Comparison & data
| Game | Final | Top scorers (selected) | Notable stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (Ohio) vs SMU | 89–79 | Elmer 23; Byers 19; Skaljac 17 | Miami attempted 41 3-pointers (First Four record) |
| Prairie View A&M vs Lehigh | 67–55 | Horne 25; Wells 19 & 11 rebounds; Alvey 23 & 15 rebounds | Horne scored all 25 points in second half |
The table highlights scorelines, leading individual contributions and standout metrics: Miami’s extreme reliance on perimeter attempts and Prairie View’s second-half offensive surge. These snapshots help contextualize how each team achieved victory — Miami via volume shooting and Prairie View via defensive adjustment and late offensive runs.
Reactions & quotes
Miami coach Travis Steele framed the win as confirmation of the RedHawks’ place in the national field and expressed belief in the group’s upside heading into the first round.
“We more than belong. We can advance deep in this tournament. Our group’s fully confident in that.”
Travis Steele, Miami (Ohio) head coach
Guard Eian Elmer captured the crowd-driven mood after the game, referencing the feel of their home gym transported to Dayton.
“I feel like we brought Millett Hall to Dayton.”
Eian Elmer, Miami (Ohio) guard
A social-media reaction from a national broadcaster highlighted the mood on the SMU bench and provided a lighthearted counterpoint to on-court drama.
“Andy Enfield doesn’t seem amused.”
CBS Sports (social post)
Unconfirmed
- Reported totals for Miami’s trio of three-pointers contain inconsistent figures across accounts; some game summaries credit the trio with 16 made threes while individual line items sum differently. Official box score should be consulted for reconciliation.
- Anecdotal reports noted some traveling Miami students wearing Speedos in Dayton; this detail is observational and not independently verified beyond press and social coverage.
Bottom line
Miami (Ohio)’s 89-79 First Four victory validated its at-large placement and supplied the program with its first NCAA Tournament win since 1999. The RedHawks used extreme perimeter volume and timely defense to earn a matchup with Tennessee, but sustaining success will require interior defense and limiting second-chance points against a physical SEC opponent.
Prairie View A&M’s 67-55 win over Lehigh is a milestone for the program and a testament to halftime adjustments, defensive pressure, and clutch scoring from Dontae Horne. Both wins demonstrate that First Four outcomes hinge on execution, stylistic matchups and momentum — factors that can outweigh seeding when the tournament begins in earnest.