
WESTERN MICHIGAN 72, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 70
KENT STATE 83, TOLEDO 64
BALL STATE 82, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 80
AKRON 90, BUFFALO 58
MIAMI 84, BOWLING GREEN 76
YPSILANTI, MI -- Da'Sean Nelson scored 21 points to lead Eastern Michigan (9-9, 3-3 MAC) past Ohio (10-8, 4-2 MAC) 94-87 Tuesday at the Gervin GameAbove Center.
While the visiting Bobcats connected on 53.2 percent from the field, EMU shot 60-3 percent overall and 58.8 percent on treys. The Eagles also had a 33-24 advantage in rebounds.
Eastern Michigan led by just two (18-16) with 12:44 to go in the first period, but it extended the margin to 15 points (50-35) by intermission.
Although Ohio produced 52 points in the second stanza, it was not enough to catch the Eagles who were up by 21 with 15:21 remaining.
Joining Nelson in double figures for EMU were Christian Henry (18), Jalen Terry (17) and Arne Osojnik (16).
Jackson Paveletzke topped Ohio scorers, hitting 11 of 14 from the field while finising with 28 points. Vic Searls (14), Shereef Mitchell (14) and Elijah Elliott (10) also reached double figures.
It was the second straight loss for Ohio, which had won six straight before falling at Akron last Friday.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men’s basketball team had five players score in double-figures and held off a late rally from Northern Illinois (4-14, 0-6 MAC) to grab a 72-70 victory over the Huskies on Tuesday night at University Arena.
Chansey Willis Jr. led Western Michigan (5-13, 2-4 MAC) in scoring, as the junior netted 18 points. JaVaughn Hannah tallied 17 points, Donovan Williams scored 15 in his first start of the campaign, and the duo of Max Burton and Markhi Strickland chipped in 10 points apiece.
James Dent Jr. topped NIU with 18 points. Quentin Jones was right behind with 17, while Ethan Butler (13) and Quaran McPherson (11) also reached double figures.
The game was tied at 17-all in the first half before WMU pulled out to a 29-27 halftime edge.
It was 64-64 with 4-10 left; Butler's layup at 2:45 gave the Huskies a brief 66-65 lead, but Burton and Willis scored on WMU's next two possessions and the Broncos held on for their second MAC win. Northern Illinois is still looking for its first MAC victory.
TOLEDO, OH -- Visiting Kent State (12-6, 3-3 MAC) connected on 63.2 percent (12-of-19) of its 3-point shots while posting a decisive 83-64 win over Toledo ((10-8, 4-2 MAC) Tuesday at Savage Arena.
The victory broke a two-game slide and allowed KSU to even its MAC record at 3-3. The Rockets, meanwhile, lost for the second time in three games after opening MAC play with three wins.
KSU never trailed and built up a 44-30 halftime lead. Toledo pulled with eight (50-42) with 12:44 remaining, but the Flashes eventually expanded their advantage to a final 19-point margin.
Cian Medley topped KSU with 22 points. VanCameron Davis netted 19, while Marquis Barnett (13) and Jalen Sullinger (12) combined for 25 points off the bench.
Javan Simmons and Sonny Wilson tallied 19 apiece to lead Toledo.
The Rockets made just 2 of 10 3-point tries.
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI -- Ball State (9-9, 3-3 MAC) broke a two-game losing streak and evened its records at .500 with an 82-20 win over Central Michigan (8-10, 2-4 MAC) Tuesday at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas led 41-33 at intermission, but BSU moved in front 60-59 on an Ethan Brittain-Watts jumper at 9:09.
The game was tied 79-all with 19 seconds left. However, Jeremiah Hernandez was fouled and made all three free throws to put BSU up 82-70 with just four seconds to go.
The Cardinal quickly fouled Anthony Prichard with two ticks remaining. He made one and missed the second. Ball State rebounded the miss to preserve its road win.
Mickey Pearson Jr. (16 points) led six Cardinals in double figures. Quentin Heady topped CMU with 17 points.
BUFFALO, NY -- Akron (13-5, 6-0 MAC) connected on 57.4 percent from the floor and 52 percent on threes as the Zips cruised past Buffalo (6-12, 1-5 MAC) Tuesday at Alumni Arena.
Akron jumped out to a 31-7 midway through the first half and led 40-25 at the break. The Zips added another 50 points (to 33 by UB) after intermission.
Tavari Johnson topped all scorers with 20 points. Nate Johnson (18), James Okonkwo (11), Isaiah Gray (10) and Marvin Muslime-Kamali (10) also reached double figures for Akron.
Sophomore guard Ryan Sabol (15) was the only Bulls player in double figures.
It was the sixth straight win for UA, which will face Miami in a battle of unbeatens Saturday (in Akron, 2 p.m.).
By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Six RedHawks reached double figures and another scored nine points as Miami (14-4, 6-0 MAC) battled its way to an 84-76 victory over visiting Bowling Green (7-11, 2-4 MAC) Tuesday at Millett Hall.
It was the eight straight win for MU, which remained undefeated in Mid-American Conference play. The RedHawks, who rose to No. 18 in this week's Mid-Major poll, will travel to Akron Saturday in a matchup of the only two remaining undefeated teams (in conference play.
Point guard Mekhi Cooper led MU . . . CONTINUE