 Five MAC teams saw action Sunday. Akron and Kent State posted wins, while the Northern Illinois Huskies forced overtime before bowing.
AKRON 69, HOWARD 52
DAYTONA BEACH , Fla. – Four Akron players hit double figures as the Zips took control early on the way to a 69-52 victory over Howard Saturday at the Ocean Center in the final day of the third annual Glenn Wilkes Classic.
Howard (0-4) jumped out to an 8-5 lead, but Akron responded with a 15-2 run. The Zips led 33-21 at intermission and pushed their advantage to 29 points twice in the second half.
Akron (2-2) hit 25 of 57 (43.9 percent) from the field, while the Bisons made 17 of 48 attempts. The Zips excelled in several special statistical areas – outscoring Howard in the paint (28-20), off turnovers (18-8), in second chance points (11-4) and fast break points (11-4).
Chris McKnight and Nikola Cvetinovic paced Akron with 13 points each. Brett McClanahan and Anthony Hitchens both contributed 10 markers.
Calvin Thompson was the only Bison in double figures. He netted 13 points on four-of-eight from the field and five-of-seven from the line. Adam Walker had 10 rebounds to lead both teams in that category.
NEW MEXICO 85, MIAMI 60
The Lobos stayed perfect through five games in 2009-10 as they handed Miami (1-4) an 85-60 loss Sunday at University Arena in the final round of the Basketball Travelers World Vision Classic.
A nine-point New Mexico run early in the first period gave the hosts a 25-10 lead. Solid defense and good work on the offensive boards enabled UNM to build a commanding 45-21 halftime lead. The Lobos out-rebounded Miami 21-8 over the first 20 minutes and had a 9-0 advantage in second chance points.
New Mexico ’s biggest lead in the second half was 29 points.
Four Lobos were in double figures. Roman Martinez led the way with 15 points. He was followed by Chad Adams (13), A. J. Hardeman (12) and Darington Hobson (11).
Miami ’s Nick Winbush led all scorers. He made five-of-eight three-point attempts on the way to a 25 point night. It was his best offensive production since a career-high 26 points against Kentucky earlier this season.
The only other RedHawk in double figures was Rodney Haddix II, who made four-of-five shots from the field and scored 10 points.
The Lobos held point guard Kenny Hayes to six points on two-of-eleven from the floor.
“We haven’t played very good at all out here,” Miami coach Charlie Coles said. “Some of the plays we’re making, I don’t know where they are coming from.”
He continued, “Three out of the four games we lost (this season), we didn’t play very well at all.”
KENT STATE 63, ROCHESTER COLLEGE 44
A 12-1 run by Kent State to start the second half propelled the Golden Flashes to a 63-44 win over Rochester Sunday at the MAC Center in the final round of the Hispanic College Fund Classic.
The hosts led 28-24 at the break, but exploded out of the gate when play resumed. Tyree Evans hit two buckets to get the run started.
Howard managed to get within six points with just under eight minutes remaining. The Warriors would, however, score just one more field goal as KSU closed the game with a 15-2 run.
Rodriguez Sherman led KSU with 15 points. Mike McKee and Anthony Simpson were also in double figures with 12 points each. Head coach Geno Ford was particularly pleased with Simpson’s contributions. “Anthony had a good game for us and has really stepped (up) since coming off the bench the past two games,” Ford said. “It was his idea to make the switch from a starter. He is an unselfish kid, an is one of those guys who just wants to win.”
Adrian Schaffer II led Rochester with 15 points. Michael Graham chipped in 10 markers.
Akron enjoyed a whopping a whopping 43-18 advantage in rebounding. The margin was 21-2 in offensive boards.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE 70, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 64 (OT)
DEKALB, Ill. – Tony Nixon’s three-point goal with six seconds remaining forced overtime, but Southeast Missouri State rallied in the extra period to post a 70-64 win over Northern Illinois (1-3) Sunday at the Convocation Center.
Sean Kowal’s basket to start overtime gave the Huskies a brief lead. However, Derek Thompson and Sam Person combined for eight points as SMS regained the lead and pulled away. Cameron Butler made five of six free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
The two teams were tied at 18-all in the first half when Thompson hit two buckets to put the RedHawks ahead 23-18. The visitors led 30-23 at intermission.
Southeast Missouri increased its advantage to 12 points early in the second half, but NIU went on a 16-3 run to take a 41-40 lead.
The RedHawks regained the lead and held it until Nixon’s three-point shot forced overtime.
Darion Anderson had a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds to pace the Huskies. Center Sean Kowal was also in double figures with 14 points.
The Huskies made 21 of 57 (36.8 percent) from the field and connected on just 17 of 34 (50 percent) from the free throw line.
Southwest Missouri Stat(1-2) netted 25 of 52 shots (48.1 percent) from the field and made 13 of 21 charity tosses (61.9 percent).
Three RedHawks were in double figures. Thompson had 19 points (12 points on treys) to lead the way. Butler contributed 12 and Anthony Allison 11.
MISSOURI STATE 75, EASTERN MICHIGAN 61
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.- Missouri State connected on 55.1 percent of its shots from the floor, including 43.8 percent from behind the arc, as it cruised past Eastern Michigan 75-61 Sunday at the JQH Arena.
Brandon Bowdry hit four of eight shots from the field and added seven free throws while leading the Eagles with 15 points. Jay Higgins contributed 12 and Justin Dobbins netted 10 points.
Nafis Ricks and Caleb Patterson came off the bench to score 13 each in leading the Bears. Kyle Weems(11), Will Creekmore (11) and Adam Leonard also made it into double figures as Missouri State jumped on the Eagles early with a balanced scoring attack.
Eastern Michigan made just three field goals over the first 11 minutes of play. By that point, the hosts owned a 21-6 lead. The Bears led 41-20 at intermission and maintained a healthy cushion throughout the final 20 minutes of action.
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