MAC Nightcap: Yawn...

[Guest blogging at Hoops Junkie for the rest of the week... Go check 'em out]


Predictable results again... East 4, West 0 on the night.

Akron 76, Central Michigan 69 (OT) - The biggest surprise had to be the impressive 2nd half comeback staged by Central Michigan, cutting a 2nd half 21 point deficit to force an overtime against East division leader Akron (well... one of the three leaders anyway...). Giordan Watson tied the score with 17 ticks left to force the OT. Akron controlled the overtime, however, and came away with the road victory. Romeo scored 22 in the victory, leading the Zips to their 7th straight victory. The Chips were led in their 7th straight loss by a combination of freshman Aaron Richie (16 pts), Sefton Barrett (15 pts, 9 rb, 3 blk), and Eddie Spencer (14 pts, 8 rbs).

Next up: Akron hosts EMU, while CMU travels to Buffalo.

Bowling Green 79, Eastern Michigan 72 - Ypsilanti native Martin Samarco enjoyed his homecoming, scoring 35 points (including 5-of-7 from three) to pace BG to a road victory over Eastern. John Bowler, of course, led the Eagles with an 18 point, 7 rebound effort, but a 23 turnover night killed any hopes of gaining their first conference victory.

Next up: The Eagles travel to Akron, while BG travels to Ball State.

Buffalo 75, Ball State 64 - A typical Ball State game... As they have in four of their five conference losses, Ball State squandered a 2nd half lead (6 points with 8:45 to play), scoring only twice from the field the rest of the way and allowing Buffalo to score on 13 of its final 14 possessions on their way to a Bulls victory. The short-handed Bulls again played without Parnell Smith, who missed his third consecutive game due to injury, but were also without Greg Gamble, who set out for academic reasons. Buffalo was led by Yassin Idbihi (23 pts, 12 rbs) and Calvin Cage (21 pts). BSU got 20 points from Skip Mills, and 15 from Maurice Acker and D'andre Peyton.

Next up: BSU hosts BG, while Buffalo hosts CMU.

Miami 58, Toledo 49 - Nathan Peavy (19 pts, 15 rbs) had his sixth double-double of the season to lead Miami to a low scoring grinder against Toledo. It was a hotly contested battle, with lead changes throughout the first half and many slim leads for Miami in the 2nd half until a 9-0 run over the last minute or so of the game put the Rockets away. Toledo was led by Jerrah Young and Justin Ingram, who scored 10 points apiece. William Hatcher also scored 18 for the RedHawks.

Next up: Miami travels to Western, while Toledo hosts Ohio