Every year, the two regular season games comprising the Battle of the Bricks are the most heavily anticipated of Ohio’s (11-10, 5-4 Mid-American Conference) and Miami’s (16-5, 8-1 MAC) seasons. In the first of those two for 2025, taking place in Oxford, Miami won 73-69.
The 3-point line was ultimately a primary factor in the game’s finish. Ohio has struggled to guard outside shots all season, entering the battle allowing the fourth-best 3-point percentage in the country to its opponents. Miami showed this hadn’t changed overnight, shooting 9-of-25 from behind the line.
“We lost them in transition in the first half, in the segment where they made their run,” Boals said. “We didn’t talk a couple switches that we should have talked. When you play a team like (Miami) your communication has to be really good.”
Redshirt sophomore Kam Craft and junior Peter Suder led the way for the RedHawks offense, with 14 and 15 points, respectively. While Ohio led for the first 12 minutes of the game, Craft and Suder would lead a 17-4 run to end the half up 35-26.
Ohio wasn’t without its own contributors. Graduate student Shereef Mitchell continues to be reliable on both ends, pitching in a game-high 20 points and 3 steals. Redshirt sophomore AJ Brown also contributed double-figures, marking his sixth consecutive game with 10 or more points. Graduate student Vic Searls also contributed a Bobcat-high in rebounds with 10.
“You kind of depend on (Shereef) but he’s able to do that,” Boals said. “To see him, on both ends, look like Shereef, that’s been a big force.”
Aside from the struggles at the 3-point line—Ohio went 5-of-17—coach Jeff Boals’ team failed to handle the ball for most of the game. The Bobcats committed 12 turnovers, and while Miami committed 13, Ohio struggled to finish these with points on the offensive end.
As the second half progressed, though, Ohio started to cut into the Miami lead. What appeared to be a blowout would turn into late-game dramatics, however, as Ohio would outscore Miami 43-38 in the second half. It wouldn’t be, enough, however, as some crucial calls didn’t go Ohio’s way, and the defense couldn’t guarantee enough stops.
A 3-point game with under a minute left would remain a 3-point game, as Ohio would fall, hoping for a miss, while Miami would foul to prevent a tying shot. Eventually, a miss did come and junior Jackson Paveletzke turned it into a shot at the rim, but couldn’t convert, keeping Miami’s lead at 2 points with under two seconds to go. Boals believed there was a missed call on the attempt that cost his team the win.
"Jackson got fouled at the end, they didn’t call him,” Boals said. “It was a big no-call. (If they had called it) now it’s two free throws and a chance to tie the game. Maybe it’s a different outcome.”
Following the missed attempt to tie, Ohio fouled, and Paveletzke was quickly joined by Brown and Mitchell, who lifted his head and walked with him up the court. The body language shown was a sign of the camaraderie among Ohio’s team.
“That’s why you’re part of a team, part of a brotherhood,” Boals said. “Guys pick you up when you’re down.”
While that camaraderie hasn’t been enough to come away with wins as of late, Ohio is through the roughest part of its schedule. Ohio will face Western Michigan in The Convo Tuesday before taking a break from MAC play to host Appalachian State Saturday.
“Any loss wears on you, but how you lose matters,” Boals said. “Give our guys credit, they battled again, put ourselves in a position (to win).”
