Miami Dominates Defiance, Sets Records in 141-58 Win
By: Jack Mueller
The Miami RedHawks ended their non-conference slate in style on Monday night, defeating Defiance College 141-58 at Millett Hall. Travis Steele’s team set a new program single-game record in points scored, breaking a record set in 2017 (vs. Midway, 123-40).
The scoreboard tells the whole story. Miami dominated this game from start to finish. After four minutes of play, the RedHawks led by fourteen, and the RedHawks never let the Buzz get back into the game.
Graduate transfer Dan Luers had a game to remember against his former team. The former Defiance star scored a season-high 20 points in the victory in 20 minutes of play, his most of the season.
Mekhi Cooper also put together a record-setting performance, scoring a career-high 14 points on 100% shooting from the field. The sophomore guard added six assists and two steals in just 16 minutes of action. Evan Ipsaro was equally as impressive, scoring 17 points of his own and setting his own career-high in points and assists (7).
Luke Skaljac’s breakout season continued in Oxford, as the freshman guard scored 16 points, another career-high for a Miami player, on 75% shooting from the field. The bench spark that he provides will be crucial for the RedHawks in the New Year as they open up MAC play.
The RedHawks came out firing, opening up a six-point lead via a 7-0 run just two minutes into the game. Mekhi Cooper sunk a shot from three, then took it coast-to-coast on a steal to make the score 14-6 RedHawks. Kam Craft added three more from beyond the arc to extend the advantage to double digits before four minutes had elapsed.
Miami kept pouring it on. Peter Suder was fouled in the paint but finished through contact and added one more at the line to take Miami past the 20-point mark just after the first media timeout. By the time the clock ticked under the 12-minute mark, Miami had built a 31-8 lead, propelled by threes from Ipsaro, Byers and Skaljac.
A five-point solo run by Mekhi Cooper gave Miami a 30-point lead with nine minutes left in the first. Another three for Craft and layup for Cooper extended the lead to 48-13 at the last media timeout of the half. Dan Luers connected twice from beyond the arc, followed by Byers and Ipsaro adding six more to make the score 61-17 with four minutes to play.
The RedHawks showed no mercy, scoring 13 more points before the halftime interval. By the time the teams went to the locker rooms, Miami led 74-25. Elmer and Craft both connected on threes, taking the team’s total to 12 in the first half.
Miami didn’t let up in the second half. They started the half on a 13-0 run, extending the lead to 84-25 within the first three minutes. Everyone got involved on offense, with Suder, Elmer, Craft and Woolfolk all scoring a field goal early in the half. It didn’t get easier for Defiance, after reaching the thirty point mark to make the score 92-33, Miami went on another 11-0 run to give them a 70 point lead.
The RedHawk offense continued to roll, continuing to score down the stretch to put Miami on “record watch”. Kam Craft hit his fifth three-pointer of the game and Jackson Kotecki scored his first of the game to score Miami’s 119th and 121st points of the night. Dan Luers connected on a free throw to break Miami’s single game scoring record, registering the RedHawks’ 124th points of the night.
17 points later, Miami’s scoring outburst was ended by the final buzzer. The RedHawks left the Millett Hall floor for the final time in 2024 as 83-point victors.
Coach Steele’s team will return to the floor after the New Year to kick off their 2025 MAC campaign. Miami will host the Buffalo Bulls in Oxford hoping to improve on their 9-9 conference record a year ago.