OHIO 90, AKRON 81
MRO STAFF
BUFFALO, NY -- Miryne Thomas scored 16 points to lead all scorers and Kent State rallied in the second half to post a 72-65 road win Friday at Alumni Arena.
With the victory, KSU 10-2 MAC 20-5 overall) moved one game ahead of Akron (which lost at Ohio) and is one-half game in front of Toledo. The Rockets are at Eastern Michigan Saturday. Buffalo, meanwhile, falls to 6-6 in MAC play and 12-13 on the season.
Joining Thomas in double figures for Kent State was Sincere Carry, who registered a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists. He also had seven rebounds. Chris Payton and Jalen Sullinger tallied 11 apiece, with the former grabbing nine caroms, as well.
Zid Powell paced the Bulls with 15 points. Laquill Hardnett and Jonnivius Smith added 14 each.
Although UB had a better field goal percentage overall, (46.0% to 42.9%), the Flashes had four more field goals and a 37-31 rebounding advantage.
The hosting Bulls led 35-29 at intermission. However, KSU tied the game at 49-all on a Sullinger triple at 10:17. Thomas hit a trey of his own on the next Flashes possession to put Kent State in front for good. The visitors led by as many as nine before finishing with the seven-point edge.
MRO STAFF
ATHENS, OH -- Jaylin Hunter tallied a career-high 25 points as Ohio knocked off MAC co-leader Akron 90-81 Friday at the Convocation Center.
It was the second straight loss for UA, which had not lost back-to-back games since November. The Zips (9-3 MAC, 17-8 overall) are now game behind Kent State, which defeated Buffalo in the MAC's other Friday tilt. Ohio, meanwhile, won a third-straight game for the first time since December. The Bobcats are 6-6 MAC (14-11 overall).
Both teams connected on 30 field goals and, while Ohio registered one less trey (10-of-16), it made 62.5 percent of its shots from outside the arc and went 20-of-23 at the foul line. Akron was just 10-of-18 on charity tosses.
Five Ohio players reached double figures. Joining Hunter (25) were Dwight Wilson III (16), Miles Brown (12), Elmore James (11) and Devon Baker (11).
Akron's Xavier Castaneda led all scorers, hitting 10-of-15 overall and 6-of-10 from long distance on the way to 34 points. Enrique Freeman recorded 21 points, while Greg Tribble and Trendon Hankerson chipped in nine apiece.
The hosting Bobcats led 44-40 at intermission and expanded their advantage to as many as 18 points (70-52 at 12:28). Ohio maintained a double-digit lead until the final minute when a Castaneda triple pulled UA within seven with 44 seconds left.