
BUFFALO 85, WESTERN MICHIGAN 76
TOLEDO 93, BALL STATE 75
EASTERN MICHIGAN 68, BOWLING GREEN 62
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 71, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 66
By MIKE SMITH
KENT, OH -- Stymied by a stubborn Flashes defense in the first half, Miami (13-5, 5-0 MAC) stormed back after intermission to defeat Kent State (11-6, 2-3 MAC) 70-61 Saturday at the M.A.C. Center.
It was the seventh straight win for MU, which is tied with Akron atop the Mid-American Conference standings. Both schools are now 5-0 in MAC competition. Kent State, meanwhile, dropped its third home game in as many contests.
The Flashes . . . CONTINUE
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Senior guard Tyson Dunn scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Buffalo (6-11, 1-4 MAC) broke a seven-game losing streak with an 85-76 win over Western Michigan Saturday at University Arena.
It was the first MAC victory for UB. Western Michigan, who broke an eight-game slide and picked up its first MAC victory Tuesday at Kent State. fell despite registering one more field goal (30-29). The Bulls hit 10 more 3-point goals and one more free throw.
Joining Dunn in double figures for UB were Noah Batchelor (10 points, 12 rebounds), Ryan Sabol (11 points), Anquan Boldin (10 points) and Frederiks Meinarts (10 points).
Broncos junior guard Chansey Willis Jr. led all scorers with 21 points. JaVaughn Hannah added 11 and Owen Lobsinger came up just short of a double-double with nine points and 14 rebounds.
MUNCIE, IN -- Sam Lewis (21) and Isaiah Adams (20) combined for 41 points to lead Toledo (10-7, 4-1 MAC) past Ball State (8-9, 2-3 MAC) 93-75 Saturday at Worthern Arena.
Javan Simmons recorded a double-double of 18 points with 12 rebounds, while Sonny Wilson tallied 15 points and Bryce Ford added 12 as UT bounced back from Tuesday's loss at Akron.
Payton Sparks (20 points) led five Cardinals in double figures. Joining him were Jermahri Hill (17 points) Mickey Pearson Jr. (12 points), Ethan Brittain-Watts (12) and Juanse Gorosito (10 points).
The two teams were tied at 28-all in the first half. A trey by Andre Lorentsson at 4:51 moved Toledo in front and the Rockets led 44-40 at intermission. They outscored BSU 49-35 in the second half to preserve the victory.
BOWLING GREEN, OH - Visiting Eastern Michigan picked up its first MAC win since Jan. 4 Saturday as it edged Bowling Green 68-62 at the Stroh Center.
Junior guard Christian Henry led the Eagles with 17 points. Arne Osojnik connected on 4 of 5 treys and 5 of 7 field goal tries while scoring 16 points in 32 minutes off the bench. Jalen Terry (13) and Da'Sean Nelson (10) also reached double figures.
Marcus Johnson topped BGSU with 16 points, while Trey Thomas added 16 to the cause.
Eastern Michigan led 29-26 at intermission. The Falcons were within one (63-62) with 1:25 to play, but Nelson knocked down two free throws and Terry drained a three with 13 seconds left to seal the verdict.
DeKALB, ILL -- Visiting Central Michigan (8-9, 2-3 MAC) picked up its second MAC win of the week with a 71-66 verdict over MAC-winless Northern Illinois Saturday at the NIU Convocation Center.
Jakobi Heady hit 8 of 16 from the field while scoring 16 points for the Chippewas. He also grabbed nine rebounds. Cayden Vasko tallied 15 points, while Anthony Pritchard and Kyler Vanderjagt contributed 13 apiece.
Huskies junior guard Quaran McPherson led all scorers with 22 points, connecting on 8 of 12 overall and 5 of 7 3-point attempts. Quentin Jones contributed 12 and Kailon Nicholls added 11.
Northern Illinois led 27-14 with 8:58 left in the opening stanza. However, CMU chipped away and moved in front 31-29 on a Prichard layup at 3:33. Central Michigan led 35-29 at intermission and remained in front through the finish.
The Chippewas had a 44-26 advantage in rebounds and 32-14 edge on points in the paint.