MIAMI BASKETBALL

Miami sets new consecutive home wins record

Atlason scores 21 as RedHawks bench bounces back 

Almar Atlason finishes a drive for two of his 21 points. (MVSmith/MRO)

OXFORD, OH -- You can't keep a good bench down!

After failing to contribute a single point against Akron Saturday, the Miami bench provided 37 points in an 87-76 win over Western Michigan (6-9, 0-3 MAC) Tuesday a Millett Hall. 

With the victory, Miami (16-0, 4-0 MAC) not only remained unbeaten on the season, it also set a new record for consecutive home wins (24). The previous mark was 23 (1996-98). 

Almar Atlason led MU, coming off . . . 

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Eian Elmore finishes a drive between EJ Ryans (3) and Trey Lewis (1). (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . the bench to score 21 points -- 16 after intermission. Joining him in double figures were Antwone Woolfolk (13), Luke Skaljac (12), Peter Suder (12) and Justin Kirby (10). Six of Kirby's points came at the line (6/6) as the freshman guard logged 21 minutes in his third appearance as a RedHawk. His contributions came in handy as Miami - already without point guard Evan Ipsaro (season-ending injury) was also missing freshman guard Trey Perry (illness). 

Trey Perry did not play tonight ,,, due to illness. I anticipate him being back for the next game, but it's a next-man-up mentality. Miami Head Coach Travis Steele said. "It gave Justin Kirby an even bigger opportunity. I thought when he entered the game, he really changed the game just with his energy (and) his athleticism. I thought he was tremendous. He had eight rebounds and 10 points.

Jayden Brewer led WMU, which is still looking for its first MAC win of 2025-26. Justin Williams scored 14 and Jalen Griffith added 10. 

Neither team shot all that well from beyond the arc, especially in the first period when they combined for shoot 16 percent (4 of 26) on treys. Miami, which leads the MAC in 3-point success (41.6%), added to its problems with 10 turnovers. Western Michigan out-scored the RedHawks 11-2 on points off turnovers in the first period. 
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Justin Kirby scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He went 6 for 6 at the line. (MVSmith/MRO)

Still Miami managed to stay in front (by small margins) throughout the first half and led 39-35 at the break. 

Several more RedHawk turnovers early in the second stanza helped WMU move in front. Giffith's only 3-point shot of the game put the Broncos in front 41-39 with 18:46 to go. 

"When we went on a run (was) when we started taking care of the ball. It's as simple as that.," Steele said. "We only had one (turnover) the last 18 minutes of the game. 

Miami tied things at 43-all on a pair of Kirby free throws at 16:07 and went ahead for good with an Atlason triple at 15:24. That started a 14-4 MU run, giving the hosts a 10-point advantage (57-47) at 11:09). Eventually, MU built a 17-point lead, with Atlason's layup at 6:01 putting Miami up 74-57. Western Michigan was not able to get closer then the final 11 point margin.

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NOTES
•   Miami's next test is a big one as the RedHawks face Toledo at Savage Hall Friday  Tipoff is at 6 p.m., with the game available on CBSSN.
•  "We've got to take care of the ball better ... That's a big area of focus for improvement for the next game." -- Steele on cleaning up turnovers during practice this week.  
•  Steele said that with Perry unavailable, MU used more zone in the first half that normally. The intent was to help protect Suder and Skaljac from foul trouble. Suder did finish with four fouls and missed some second half time after picking up the fourth foul. 
•  Woolfolk also picked up a fourth foul (with 7:00 remaining) just as he was finding success inside. Both he and Suder returned later and Woolfolk hit a triple for Miami's final points with 1:21 left. 
•  Atlason did not score in 20 minutes against Akron but led MU with 21 points against the Broncos. 

Brant Byers passes to a teammate during second half action of Miami's win over Western Michigan. (MVSmith/MRO)