Ohio Bobcats vs. Akron Zips men's basketball recap: Zips win MAC regular season title

With the regular season winding down in college basketball, many match-ups have major conference tournament implications. Tuesday night's contest between the Akron Zips and Ohio Bobcats was no different. The game featured the top two teams in the MAC East, and Akron's victory is significant:

With tonight's win, the Zips are your MAC Regular Season Champions and will be the #1 seed in the MAC Tournament! pic.twitter.com/FQaTtwbjNf

— Akron Zips MBB (@ZipsMBB) March 2, 2016

The Zips have much to look forward to with one more regular season game, including more phenomenal performances by two players with experience: Kwan Cheatham Jr. and Reggie McAdams. Both players put up 21 points on the night, shooting a combined 47% from the field. Cheatham grabbed 12 boards to give him his first double double of the season. McAdams took 14 three-pointers in the game, making half of them, which makes his three-point field goal percentage 58% in Akron's last two games.

The Bobcats had four players in double figures, including sophomore guard Jaaron Simmons, who posted 25 points in the game. Simmons is now averaging 26.3 points per game over his last four contests. Antonio Campbell nearly put up a double double with nine points and 11 rebounds, as he was able to dominate the glass for Ohio. Only six Bobcats scored on the night, limiting their offense to 76 points, their lowest point total since February 9th against Ball State. Freshman Jordan Dartis, junior Kenny Kaminski, and senior Treg Setty each put up 13 points in the game, shooting for a combined 44% between the trio.

The three-point line saw plenty of action tonight. Between the two teams, 68 three-pointers were attempted, 43 by Akron and 25 by Ohio. The other side of that token is that the Zips made 47% of theirs, while the Bobcats made a mere 32%.

In fact, Akron posted a school-record in the game with their made three-point shots:

Akron has set a new school record with 3 pointers made in a game at 20!!! Zips lead 86-71 with 3:00 left to play in the game! #zipsunite

— Akron Zips MBB (@ZipsMBB) March 2, 2016

Three-pointers pushed the Zips over the top, allowing them to never look back in the game. Their largest lead was 19, and they never trailed the Bobcats. Akron is entering the MAC tournament with momentum, while Ohio hopes to win one last game before tournament play begins in Cleveland.

Ohio closes the regular season in Miami against the RedHawks, and Akron will play in their senior night against Kent State.