(5) Akron 93, (12) Toldeo 92 OT
No. 5 Akron hit two last-second shots to help keep the Zips’ season alive in a 93-92 overtime win against No. 12 Toledo. Freshman guard Anthony “Humpty” Hitchens hit a three-pointer at the end of regulation to complete a frantic comeback and tie the game at 78. Toledo used a 23-6 run that lasted more than 10 minutes to build a 62-50 lead in the second half. In the final five minutes, Akron scored 28 points to Toledo’s 16, capped by Hitchens’ big shot. In overtime, freshman guard Clayton Sterling appeared to rescue the Rockets with last-minute heroics that included two free throws, a steal and a go-ahead layup with six seconds remaining. But Sterling simply set up another Zips miracle. As time expired, sophomore forward Brett McKnight hit a jumper to give Akron the 93-92 win. The Zips will play No. 4 Miami. Akron split two regular-season games with the RedHawks.
(7) Central Michigan 62, (10) Eastern Michigan 49
No. 7 Central Michigan beat cross-state rival No. 10 Eastern Michigan 62-49 in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament to move into the quarterfinals against No. 2 Ball State. Senior forward Marcus Van led the Chippewas to victory with 17 points and five rebounds. Central Michigan was 51 percent from the field and held the Eagles to 39 percent. Central Michigan split its two regular-season games with Ball State.
(6) Kent State 64, (11) Northern Illinois 61
Senior forward Julian Sullinger made two free throws with less than three minutes remaining to break a 58-58 tie, and No. 6 Kent State held on for a 64-61 win against No. 11 Northern Illinois. Senior guard Al Fisher willed the Golden Flashes to the victory with 25 points, five assists and four rebounds in 39 minutes. Kent State weathered the Huskies’ nine three-pointers to move on to the quarterfinals against No. 3 Buffalo. Kent State split the two regular-season meetings with Buffalo.
(9) Ohio 62, (8) Western Michigan 55
Senior guard Michael Allen gave No. 9 Ohio a 56-55 lead with a minute and a half remaining, and the Bobcats held No. 8 Western Michigan scoreless the rest of the game to win 62-55. Senior forward Jerome Tillman led the Bobcats with 14 points. Ohio will play top-seeded Bowling Green Wednesday. The Bobcats lost to Bowling Green by 34 on Sunday.
