Recap: Miami (OH) Defeats UMES 88-70 Behind Elmer's Career Night

By: Jack Mueller 

Miami Head Coach Travis Steele earned his 99th career win in style, as his team gifted him with a birthday 88-70 win over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Eian Elmer was the star of the show, scoring 14 second half points to record a career-high 24, and making an impact on every aspect of the game (9 rebounds, one block, one steal). 

“We kept the defense moving and I was open enough to take the shots.” said Elmer. 

“One of the best games he’s (Elmer) had in his early career here at Miami.” said Steele on Elmer’s performance, emphasizing his forward’s growth since arriving in Oxford. 

The RedHawks’ 2024 transfer class continues to make an impact. Kam Craft, Peter Suder and Antwoine Woolfolk combined for 45 points on 54% shooting. Woolfolk’s presence in the paint was vital for the success of the Miami offense, drawing defenders in and opening up shooting spots for his teammates. 

“We’re going to play through him in the post,” said Steele. “He can do a lot of things on the floor…there’s no reason he can’t be one of the best at his position if he puts his mind to it.”

Ever since the first day of practice, the depth that the RedHawks’ have on their roster this year has been a point of emphasis, and it was on full display on Tuesday. Eight players got onto the scoresheet, and five scored more than nine points.

“Luke (Skaljac) is going to be a special player, Byers is going to be a special player…Ipsaro was phenomenal off of the bench,” said Steele. 

The Hawks of UMES did not go down without a fight. The visitors took the lead at several points throughout the second half, largely due to the play of Ketron “KC”  Shaw. The junior guard, who is averaging 24 points on the season, put up a season high 27 against the RedHawks. Shaw’s ability to drive into the paint, create contact to draw fouls or make tough jumpers gave Miami nightmares throughout the game. However, his effectiveness was limited in the latter portion of the game after Elmer was assigned to guard him. 

“ Eian denying him (Shaw) was a good move late” said Steele. “We had to do something different because when you play a good player like that your system goes out of the window.”

He was far from the only offensive threat. Cardell Bailey added a season-high 21 points, connecting on 50% of his three point attempts. The RedHawks were able to limit Christopher Flippin, who had 20+ points in the two previous games, to just eight points. However, they were loud points, as the forward slammed home two dunks. 

The RedHawks offense got off to a flying start, jumping out to a five point lead just 90 seconds into the game after Elmer hit from three and Woolfolk found the basket on a nifty post move. Steele’s side showed no signs of slowing down, as Elmer once again found himself wide open from three point range and made no mistake, extending the RedHawks’ lead to nine at the first media timeout. 

The Shaw brothers, KC and Kyrell, proved to be critical for Eastern Shore’s offense as they tried to fight their way back into the game. The pair outscored Miami 10-5 in a three-minute span that cut the RedHawks’ lead to just two. The teams traded baskets throughout the first half before a Kam Craft three sent the home team to the under-four media timeout with a five-point lead. 

Back-to-back scores for Eastern Shore, including a thunderous dunk by Flippin, brought the visitors within one, but mid-rangers by Craft and Jackson Kotecki re-established Miami’s two-possession lead as the clock ticked under the one-minute mark. Cardell Bailey had the chance to bring his side within one score, but failed to convert from the charity stripe. Eian Elmer’s halfcourt attempt at the buzzer missed the mark, sending the sides to the locker rooms with Miami leading 42-38. 

Miami’s lead was short-lived following the break. Shaw got to the basket and Bailey connected on two shots from the charity stripe to tie the game just one minute into the second half. Three-point shots by Bailey and Jose Cuello gave the Hawks’ their first lead of the night early in the second half. 

“When you give teams confidence, it’s amazing how the rim seems to look,” said Steele “

Elmer connected on a long two (originally a three before video review) to retake the lead, for the home team, and threes from Suder and Skaljac extended said lead to seven. The Hawks refused to give up though, cutting the lead to one after Cardell Bailey’s third three pointer of the night. Ipsaro found space for an easy layup, but Flippin smashed home a monster dunk and Shaw got to the rim for his 21st points of the night, giving the visitors a one point lead. Their lead was short-lived though, as Craft nailed a three following a RedHawk timeout to retake the lead for the hosts. 

(Evan Ipsaro sets up the offense // photo: Jack Mueller)

“We played at our own pace.” said Steele, “Good shooting teams are good passing teams… when your ball moves, good things are going to happen.”

Neither side was able to pull away from one another until thirteen straight points from Elmer established a 78-68 lead with three and a half minutes to go. Elmer was everywhere on both sides of the floor, pulling down a key defensive rebound and creating a turnover before finding the bottom of the net for his fifth triple to give his team a double-digit advantage. Antwoine Woolfolk was fouled on a putback layup that found the net, and converted the free throw, extending the home team’s lead to 12 with two minutes to play. 

“I was the one that was getting open, and my shot was falling early so I had the confidence to keep shooting the ball.” said Elmer. 

Craft’s third and fourth three pointers of the night made the score 88-70 with seconds to play, essentially securing the game for the RedHawks, ensuring that Steele would end his birthday with a win on home floor. 

(Kam Craft fires a three pointer // photo: Jack Mueller)

The RedHawks improve to 2-1 with the win, but face a tough test on the road next week. Miami will travel to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines on Monday, hoping to win their first game against a Big Ten opponent since 2007 (OT win vs. Illinois).