ATHENS – Jackson Paveletzke and Javan Simmons both had career nights, and it still was not enough to top unbeaten No. 19 Miami, which finished the regular season undefeated with a 110-108 overtime victory Friday night at The Convo.

Paveletzke had 37 points and six assists while playing all 45 minutes but missed shots to win the game at the end of regulation and at the final buzzer of overtime. Simmons scored 30 points and added nine rebounds. Aidan Hadaway had a strong showing as well with 20 points and five rebounds.

Eian Elmer paced the RedHawks (31-0, 18-0 Mid-American Conference) with 32 points and 12 rebounds, while Trey Perry scored 21 points in 21 minutes off the bench. Brant Byers scored 15 points, while leading scorer Peter Suder was held to 13 points on 2-of-8 shooting from the floor.

After Paveletzke assisted a game-tying Simmons dunk, the Bobcats (15-16, 9-9 MAC) got a stop on defense and had the final shot of regulation. Paveletzke initially lost the ball while trying to split a pair of defenders but recovered and had a good shot at a runner from the left side of the lane, but his shot missed left off the rim to send the game to overtime.

Simmons caught a Kiir Kuany air ball and put it up and in to give Ohio a 108-107 lead with 22 seconds left in overtime. Suder immediately took the ball hard to the hoop, and Ajay Sheldon was called for a block. Suder’s first free throw popped out and back in and then his second one was true to give Miami the lead. Suder was 9 of 10 at the foul line.

Paveletze attacked the rim on the other end and drew a lot of body contact but got no call on a missed shot, forcing a quick foul. Justin Kirby split two free throws with 4.7 seconds left, and Paveletzke dribbled past defenders to get a 3-pointer from the left side at the buzzer, but it was off the mark.

"Our fans and our crowd were unbelievable," Ohio coach Jeff Boals said. "The energy they brought was awesome all game. We want to shout out to all our students who stayed before leaving for spring break. It was a fun game to coach and a fun game to play. Obviously, we came up a little short, but give Miami credit."

A crowd of 10,740 plus an ESPN2 broadcast audience saw a high-scoring game throughout. Miami led 54-48 after a first half that was tight early before the RedHawks went on a run and held their biggest lead of 48-38 after a Suder jumper. But he was called for a technical foul that helped Ohio close the gap some.

Twice early in the second half Miami took an 11-point lead, first on a Byers 3-pointer and then on a Elmer tip-in that made it 61-50. Simmons hit his second 3-pointer of the game – and just his sixth of the season – to turn the tide. It began a 14-4 run that included a third Miami technical foul and allowed Ohio to get to within one at 65-64.

The RedHawks answered back and pushed the lead to 77-67 on an Elmer free throws with 10:22 to go. The Bobcats scored six quick points, with Sheldon’s 3-pointer make it 77-73 only 20 seconds later.

Ohio continued to battle and tied the game at 88 on a Sheldon 3 with 6:18 remaining. Perry hit two free throws to put Miami back on top, and it stayed that way until back-to-back Simmons baskets in the final 1:30.

Paveletzke gave the Bobcats their first lead since early in the first half by beginning overtime with a layup, but Suder converted a three-point play. Paveletzke made two free throws, with Elmer answering with two of his own to put the RedHawks on top 105-104.

After a Perry layup, Paveletzke scored and had a chance at a three-point play but missed the free throw, leaving Ohio down one before Simmons’ putback gave the Bobcats their final lead.

Miami shot 50.7% for the game, including 65.5% in the first half, and went 11 of 26 (42.3%) on 3-pointers. It made 31 of 41 free throws. Ohio shot 48.7% overall, making 14 of 32 (43.8%) 3-pointers, and went 20 of 25 at the line.

With the loss, the Bobcats dropped to the No. 6 seed in the MAC Tournament and will take on No. 3 Kent State in the quarterfinals at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Rocket Arena.