MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — Almar Atlason scored 26 points to lead Miami (Ohio) to an 86-77 victory over Ball State in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Worthen Arena. The Redhawks (12-0) used efficient shooting to stay unbeaten, connecting on 13 of 24 three-pointers and 21 of 22 free throws. Eian Elmer added 20 points for Miami. Ball State (3-9) was led by Elmore James’ 20 points. The Cardinals scored 40 points in the paint and forced 12 turnovers but could not overcome Miami’s perimeter accuracy. The Redhawks led 40-36 at halftime and maintained control throughout the second half before an announced crowd of 3,503.

MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — The Miami (Ohio) Redhawks leaned on a blistering offensive display and a remarkable individual performance from reserve Almar Atlason to fend off a persistent Ball State squad and remain undefeated with an 86-77 victory in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Worthen Arena. In a contest defined by efficient offense and a surprising lack of second chances, the 12-0 Redhawks showcased their depth and shooting prowess to overcome a Cardinals team that won several key statistical battles but could not match Miami’s shot-making. The game drew an announced crowd of 3,503. The most critical stretch of the game arrived late in the second half, with Miami’s once-comfortable lead having been whittled down. Leading 62-58 with just over eight minutes remaining, the Redhawks turned to Atlason, the 6-foot-8 forward from Reykjavik, Iceland, who had already provided a significant spark off the bench. Over the next three minutes, Atlason single-handedly engineered a 12-5 run that effectively sealed the outcome. It began with a three-pointer assisted by Peter Suder at the 8-minute mark. After a Ball State basket, Atlason converted a layup. Following a Cardinals miss, he drained another three-pointer, this time from Luke Skaljac. He then capped the personal outburst by drawing a foul on a three-point attempt and calmly sinking all three free throws. That sequence pushed the Miami lead to 74-63 with 3:58 to play, and Ball State never got closer than seven points the rest of the way. Atlason finished with a game-high 26 points in just 22 minutes, shooting 7 of 12 from the field, including 5 of 9 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 7 of 7 from the free-throw line. His offensive rating of 120.4 for the Redhawks, who scored 86 points on 71 possessions, underscored a afternoon of high efficiency. He was complemented by Eian Elmer, who added 20 points, and Brant Byers, who chipped in 16. Suder facilitated the offense with five assists. For Ball State, which fell to 3-9, Elmore James led the way with 20 points, while Davion Hill contributed 13 and Devon Barnes had 10 points and four assists. The game’s statistical profile presented a paradox. Ball State dominated inside, outscoring Miami 40-26 in the paint, and capitalized on Miami’s mistakes, scoring 21 points off 12 Redhawk turnovers while committing only five of their own. The Cardinals also owned the fast break, holding a 15-2 advantage. However, Miami’s transcendent shooting rendered those edges moot. The Redhawks shot 50% from the field and an exceptional 54.2% from three-point range, connecting on 13 of 24 attempts. They were even more clinical at the foul line, making 21 of 22 free throws. Ball State, by contrast, shot 49.1% overall but just 33.3% from deep and 77.8% from the line. Both teams managed only three offensive rebounds apiece, leading to a game with very few extra possessions. Miami built its lead in the first half, taking a 40-36 advantage into the break despite Ball State’s Mason Jones scoring the final five points of the period. The Redhawks then opened the second half on a 9-3 run to establish a double-digit margin they would protect, with Atlason’s late heroics providing the final answer to every Ball State push. The victory keeps Miami perfect as it heads into the heart of its conference schedule, having already surpassed its win total from several recent seasons. Ball State, meanwhile, continues to search for consistency, showing flashes of capability but ultimately unable to string together enough stops against one of the nation’s most efficient offenses. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Miami was projected with an 85.5% probability to win. The total score of 163 points sailed over the over/under line of 146.5. Miami (Ohio) next hosts Milligan on Monday, while Ball State is off until hosting Earlham on Dec. 29.

Preview: Unbeaten Miami (Ohio) Visits Struggling Ball State in MAC Opener MUNCIE, Ind. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in trajectories will be on display Saturday when the unbeaten Miami (Ohio) RedHawks visit the struggling Ball State Cardinals in the Mid-American Conference opener for both men’s basketball teams. The RedHawks (11-0), one of the nation’s remaining undefeated teams, enter Worthen Arena riding high after an 83-76 road victory at Wright State on Tuesday. Ball State (3-8) seeks to halt a three-game skid, most recently a 64-69 loss at Campbell on Sunday. Miami’s perfect start has been fueled by efficient offense and balanced scoring. Guard Brant Byers has been a consistent catalyst, averaging 15.1 points per game. He is coming off a season-high 27-point performance against Wright State. Evan Ipsaro (12 points) and Peter Suder (10 points) also provided key contributions in that win. The RedHawks have proven resilient, winning tight road games at UNC Asheville (90-87 in OT) and Eastern Kentucky (79-69) during their streak. Ball State’s season has been defined by offensive struggles, failing to reach 70 points in seven of its eight losses. Forward Preston Copeland has been a bright spot, averaging 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. He nearly posted a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds against Campbell. Guard Joey Hart leads the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game. History adds another layer to the matchup. The Cardinals will attempt to defend their home court against a Miami team aiming to maintain its historic start. The RedHawks’ schedule softens after this with a home game against Milligan on Monday, while Ball State hosts Earlham on Dec. 29 before resuming MAC play. Saturday’s contest tips off at 2 p.m. EST. Miami will look to extend its remarkable run, while Ball State hopes to find a spark and open conference play with an upset.