SPORTS

Mid-majors advance after First Four wins in Dayton

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DAYTON, Ohio — Miami (Ohio) beat SMU 89-79 Wednesday in a First Four game, recording the RedHawks’ first NCAA Tournament victory in 27 years and advancing to play Tennessee on Friday. Eian Elmer scored 23 points, going 6-for-9 from three-point range; Brant Byers added 19 and Luke Skaljac 17. Prairie View A&M defeated Lehigh 67-55 as Dontae Horne scored 25, and Nebraska beat Richmond 75-56. Reports drew on game box scores, coach and player quotes, campus watch-party comments and local coverage at UD Arena, and official NCAA statistics published across outlets nationwide. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Miami (Ohio) completed an unbeaten regular season before postseason play, according to coverage.
Lehigh won the Patriot League championship the prior Wednesday, securing a First Four berth.
First Four games were played Wednesday at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.
Prairie View A&M defeated Lehigh 67-55; Miami (Ohio) beat SMU 89-79.
Winners (Miami (Ohio), Prairie View A&M, Nebraska) advanced to Round of 64 matchups scheduled for Friday.

Why This Matters to You

If you're a college basketball fan, these games are the start of March Madness. They can be a source of community pride and friendly competition. Check your local listings to catch the Round of 64 games on Friday.

The Bottom Line

Mid-majors Miami (Ohio), Prairie View A&M, and Nebraska have advanced in the NCAA Tournament. Their victories highlight the unpredictability and excitement of college basketball. Worth forwarding if you know someone who loves a good underdog story.