Sports
#MACtion Update: A Recap of Thursday’s Mid-American Conference Tournament Games
By: Mitchell Lyons
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Four games took place in the Mid-American Conference Thursday night. The four winners will advance to play in today’s semifinals. Here is a look at what happened across the MAC.
Akron 79, Eastern Michigan 62
In a game with seven technical fouls, the Akron Zips managed to pull away late to defeat the Eastern Michigan Eagles. EMU was down three at halftime but failed to make it any closer in the final two quarters.
Noah Robotham’s three gave Akron a 33-27 advantage. Josh Williams extended the lead to double figures, 48-37. The Eagles went on a 15-9 run, to make it a 57-53 ball game. They wouldn’t get any closer from this point on. Akron went on a 9-0 run to put the game out of reach with less than four minutes.
Akron advances to the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament for the twelfth consecutive year.
Ball State 66, Western Michigan 63
All-MAC second team player Tayler Persons only played nine total minutes, and the Ball State Cardinals still managed to defeat the Western Michigan Broncos.
This game was tightly contested and back-and-forth throughout. First team All-MAC player Thomas Wilder buried a three with 2:19 left in the game, putting Ball State up 61-60. Jeremie Tyler’s layup gave Ball State a 3-point lead. Wilder tied the game with 56 seconds remaining. Three different Cardinals hit a free throw, allowing Ball State to regain its 3-point lead with three seconds remaining.
Tucker Haymond’s half-court shot was off the mark, giving Ball State the win. Four Cardinals scored in double figures with Trey Moses leading the way with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Wilder had 24 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Broncos.
Coach James Whitford said Persons is in concussion protocol and is unsure if he will play against Akron.
Ohio 67, Toledo 66
Ohio came back from 15-point deficit, not once, but twice to defeat the Toledo Rockets. Kenny Kaminski hit a game winner with 7.8 seconds remaining.
Jaaron Simmons and Jason Carter led Ohio, which has become routine since Antonio Campbell’s injury. Simmons had a game-high 24 points, four rebounds and four assists. Jason Carter contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Bobcats’ win. Ohio’s defense was strong, holding Steve Taylor Jr. to nine points. Click here for a full game recap.
Kent State 68, Buffalo 65
This was MAC tournament’s first upset. For the first time since 2014, the MAC will be sending someone besides the Buffalo Bulls to the NCAA tournament.
The Kent State Golden Flashes went 29-of-41 from the foul line to knock off the two-time defending champions. Kent State drew 30 fouls and got three Bulls, including Blake Hamilton to foul out.
The Bulls had a chance to tie the game but the desperation three at the buzzer was wide right, giving Kent State the victory. Jimmy Hall had 24 points and eight rebounds in the win. Deon Edwin added 14 points and 11 rebounds for Kent State.
They face the Bobcats today at 8 p.m.