Miami (Ohio) didn’t blink. Not with an unbeaten record on the line, not with a conference opponent hanging around early. The RedHawks moved to 25-0 on the 2025-26 season Saturday, beating Ohio 90-74 in a game that tilted steadily in the second half.
Miami entered on a five-game winning streak and played like a team that knows exactly how it wants to win: build a cushion before halftime, then come out of the locker room and widen the margin. Ohio, 13-13 and coming in with a choppy LLWWL stretch, couldn’t match the pace over 40 minutes.
How it happened
Miami set the tone before the break, taking a 43-35 lead into halftime. That eight-point edge mattered because it forced Ohio to chase the game — and Miami answered every attempt to close the gap with more scoring.
The separation came after halftime. Miami won the second half 47-39, turning a manageable deficit for Ohio into a 16-point final margin. In a game without overtime, the math was simple: Miami won both halves, and Ohio never flipped control.
Turning point
The decisive stretch was the opening of the second half. Miami’s ability to extend an eight-point halftime lead by winning the final 20 minutes removed any realistic path for Ohio to steal momentum late. Ohio needed a run; Miami delivered the response scoring that kept the margin comfortable.
What it means going forward
For Miami (Ohio), the takeaway is straightforward: 25-0 is still intact, and the RedHawks continue to pair strong form (WWWWW entering the game) with consistent scoreboard control. Winning each half is the profile of a team that’s not relying on one hot stretch — it’s stacking advantages.
For Ohio, now 13-13, the loss underscores the challenge of sustaining winning basketball when the margins tighten. The Bobcats scored 74, but allowing 90 — and falling behind by halftime — left too much ground to cover against an unbeaten team that kept scoring in the second half.
Score by half
Halftime: Miami (Ohio) 43, Ohio 35
Final: Miami (Ohio) 90, Ohio 74