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If you were expecting recaps yesterday, my apologies. I can’t speak for everyone, but as a married man who wants to keep his man parts attached, Valentine’s Day is one of the few days of the year where sports have to take a back seat.
Ohio University Bobcats 79, Eastern Michigan Eagles 71
While cooking the wife dinner, I was able to keep one eye on this game. The game was chippy, just like the last time these two teams faced off. Each team was assessed 2 technical fouls. It wasn’t a full on brawl or anything, more like early 90s NBA, for those old enough to remember.
The Bobcats jumped out to an early lead, before the Eagles battled back to tie it up by halftime.
After the half, it stayed close for a while, before the Bobcats took the lead for good, thanks in large part to fouls by the Eagles. Ohio took 42 free throws. I can’t stress enough how unusual that is, especially for a road team.
Jordan Dartis led the Bobcats with 26 points. He also added 7 rebounds. Jason Carter added 12 points and 14 rebounds. Jaaron Simmons added 8 assists to push his season average to 6.9, good enough for 4th in the country.
Willie Mangum IV led the Eagles with 19. James Thompson IV added 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Buffalo Bulls 99, Central Michigan Chippewas 93
In a surprise to no one, these two teams battled in a classic offensive shootout.
The Bulls were up 74-59 before a flurry of 4 three pointers by the Chips closed the gap, 76-73. Buffalo maintained a small lead after that until a 4 point play by Braylon Rayson tied it up 93 all with 1:19 left. C.J. Massingburg then hit a jumper and made his free throws on the ensuing possessions to seal the win.
Six Bulls scored in double digits, showing why they are going to be a tough out come tournament time. They were led by Willie Conner with 22 points. Massinburg added 20, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Central Michigan was led by Rayson with 28, and Marcus Keene added 27. They, too, showed why they are going to be a tough out. Keene didn’t shoot particularly well on the evening, but the Chips were still in the game until the final whistle.
Akron Zips 71, Toledo Rockets 65
A Jordan Lauf layup as time expired answered a Jimond Ivey three, to give the Rockets a 37-33 halftime lead.
The Rockets were able to build that lead to 11 on a Nate Navigato three with 10:36 to go.
Then Akron did what they do. They went on a 15-3 run to take the lead with 6:11 left. The Rockets answered with a Jaelan Stanford three, briefly regaining the lead, 55-53. A pair of threes from Ivey and Kwan Cheatham Jr. gave Akron the lead for good.
Steve Taylor Jr. led the Rockets with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Taylor is 3rd in the country, with 12.1 rebounds per game. Navigato scored 13 off the bench.
Cheatham led the Zips with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Isaiah Johnson added 18 and 7 rebounds.
Ball State Cardinals 81, Northern Illinois Huskies, 72
The Cardinals were able to get a crucial overtime win on the road, taking sole possession of first place in the MAC West.
The Huskies were up 61-53 with 4:10 to go when Ball State went on an 8-0 run to send it into overtime. Northern Illinois’ scoring drought continued in the extra period, and Ball State capitalized by scoring the first 11 in overtime. That’s a 19-0 run for those scoring at home.
The Huskies gave it a go, but it was just too large of a lead to overcome.
Ryan Weber was 7-11 from three, and led the Cardinals with 23. Jeremie Tyler added 18 off the bench, while hitting 4 out of 6 from beyond the arc. Trey Moses added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Eugene German, the flashy freshman, scored a career high 20 to lead the Huskies. Levi Bradley added 13.
Western Michigan Broncos 89, Bowling Green Falcons 79
It was a close game for most of the way, with a Matt Fox three tying it at 63 apiece with 8:18 to go.
Then Thomas Wilder went nuts, scoring 17 of his career high 38 points, to help the Broncos ice the game.
Western Michigan used their size to their advantage, out rebounding the Falcons, 38-25.
Along with Wilder’s career night, Tucker Haymond added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Broncos.
Bowling Green was led by Rodrick Caldwell with 15 points. Freshman Dylan Frye got the start for the Falcons, and responded with 13 points and 4 assists.
Kent State Golden Flashes 76, Miami RedHawks, 72
Miami led for most of the first 30 minutes before Kent State was able to edge out the RedHawks the rest of the way.
Jimmy Hall led the Golden Flashes with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Jaylin Walker added 20.
The RedHawks were led by Micheal Weathers, who had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Marcus Weathers added 19 points and 10 rebounds.