Miami (Ohio) isn’t blinking. The RedHawks moved to 22-0 on Jan. 31, 2026, dispatching Northern Illinois 85-61 in an NCAA matchup at TBD and extending a five-game winning run that’s increasingly looking like a season-long standard.
Northern Illinois entered at 7-14 and never found the stability needed to threaten an unbeaten team. Miami’s control tightened as the game progressed, culminating in a decisive second half that separated the RedHawks from the Huskies for good.
Game flow: close early, Miami’s surge after the break
The first half played to a narrow margin, with Miami (Ohio) carrying a 40-38 edge into halftime. That was as close as it got late.
Miami detonated after the break, pouring in 45 second-half points while holding Northern Illinois to 23. The result: a 22-point final margin and another clean entry in the win column for the nation’s remaining unbeaten.
Turning point: second-half separation
When a game sits at 40-38 at halftime, the next stretch defines everything. Miami’s ability to win the second half 45-23 flipped a two-point game into a blowout, turning any Northern Illinois momentum into a series of empty possessions and quick Miami answers.
What it means
Miami (Ohio): 22-0, still perfect
Miami’s unbeaten record remains the headline, but the way it happened matters just as much: a composed first half followed by a punishing second-half push. That’s the profile of a team that can absorb early pressure and still dictate the final shape of the game.
Northern Illinois: 7-14, searching for consistency
The Huskies were within two at halftime, but the second-half collapse underscored the gap between hanging around and sustaining execution for 40 minutes. Against an unbeaten opponent, the margin for error is thin — and Miami widened it quickly.
Up next
Miami (Ohio) leaves with another win and an unblemished record intact, while Northern Illinois exits needing to translate a competitive first half into a complete performance.