KENT, Ohio — In a thrilling matchup, Miami (OH) triumphed over Kent State with a score of 70-61 on Saturday, bolstered by a strong performance from Brant Byers, who contributed 15 points as a substitute.

Byers showcased an impressive shooting display, hitting 4 of 6 attempts from the floor and converting 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Additionally, he was perfect from the free-throw line, going 4 for 4. His efforts were instrumental in the RedHawks’ continued success, elevating their record to 13-4 overall and 5-0 in the Mid-American Conference. Eian Elmer also made his presence felt, scoring 14 points with solid shooting stats of 6 for 9, including 2 for 5 from three-point land. Meanwhile, Mekhi Cooper added to the scoring spree, finishing with 12 points on 4 of 5 shooting, including 2 of 3 from long distance. This victory marks Miami (OH)’s seventh consecutive win.

On the opposing side, Cian Medley led the Golden Flashes with 15 points and contributed two steals during the game. Jalen Sullinger added 11 points to the team’s total, while Delrecco Gillespie rounded out the performance with 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

In the first half, Byers was particularly impactful, scoring 10 points. However, Miami (OH) found themselves trailing at halftime, with the scoreboard reading 41-32 in favor of Kent State. The RedHawks rallied after the break, launching a dominating 13-2 run that turned a nine-point deficit into a 45-43 lead by the 13:59 mark of the second half, showcasing Cooper’s prowess as he added 12 points in that half alone.

Looking ahead, both teams are gearing up for their next contests scheduled for Tuesday. Miami (OH) is set to host Bowling Green, while Kent State will take to the road to face off against Toledo.