MAC Nightcap: As Expected...

[note: Still guest-blogging the MAC coverage at Hoops Junkie]

I've been writing this column for less than a week, and I'm already tired of writing about the East division dominance over the West. Of course, tonight was no exception:

• Kent State 74 Eastern Michigan 64 - For only the second time in school history, Kent is 4-0 in MAC play. Kent was challenged late in this game, with Eastern cutting the lead to one with 3:45 remaining until Nate Gerwig ran off six straight points to secure the victory. Kent was led by Jay Youngblood's 23 points. John Bowler scored yet another double-double with a 23 point, 14 rebound effort.



• Akron 86, Northern Illinois 73 - Akron capitalized on a 12-0 second half run to counter a one-point NIU lead and gain a 13 point home victory. In a balanced attack, the Zips had 5 players in double figures to stretch their winning streak to 5 and keep themselves in the undefeated mix in the MAC East. Northern still maintained their 2 win lead on the MAC West pack pending the results of Sunday's Toledo-BGSU game.



• Ohio 76, Central Michigan 44 - Central Michigan scored only two field goals and made 12 turnovers in the first half, leading to an insurmountable 35-7 halftime deficit and eventually a 32 point road loss to the Ohio Bobcats. The Chips missed 15 consecutive shots and were held scoreless while Ohio scored 24 points during a 13 1/2 minute stretch in the first half.



• Buffalo 73, Western Michigan 62 - Buffalo got back in the win column, using 9 three-point shots to gain an 11 point home victory over Western Michigan. The Bulls used a 19-4 run at the end of the first half to overcome an early lead by the Broncos. Calvin Cage and Yassin Idbihi led the Bulls with 17 points each.



• Miami 59, Ball State 55 - In a game where neither team led by more than 5 points, Miami won their second straight victory at Worthen Arena in Muncie. The game was close throughout and was knotted at 51 with 2:36 to go in the game. From that point, Miami took advantage of good foul shooting and key defensive stops to gain a four point victory. The Redhawks remained undefeated in conference play, while the Cards remained winless.