Hustle Belt - 2015-2016 MAC Men's Basketball: Week 5MAC Football, MAC Basketball, MAC Recruiting, MAC Baseball and all of the other #MACtion hijinks in between - hustlebeltblog@gmail.comhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50387/hustle-fav.png2015-12-13T16:00:58-05:00http://www.hustlebelt.com/rss/stream/96332932015-12-13T16:00:58-05:002015-12-13T16:00:58-05:00RedHawks boast winning record after win over WSU
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<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Miami and Wright State fought to the end, but it was the RedHawks that did just enough to win a home game and go over .500 on the season. </p> <p>After trading blows for the first ten minutes of the second half, it was Miami that put together a string of defensive stops that enabled them to finally build a lead. Down 50-47 with 10:17 to go, Miami rode a 10-0 run and never relinquished its advantage again in a 72-67 win.</p>
<p><span>Willie Moore</span> and <span>Geovonie McKnight</span> combined for nine of those 10 points over that run. Moore had a pleasant afternoon in Millet Hall, scoring 13 points and hitting three baskets from beyond the arc. <span>Eric Washington</span> led the way for Miami, as he slashed through the Wright State defense for 13 points, 8 assists and added 5 rebounds. Washington continues his torrid ability to get to the free throw line, today knocking down 9 of his 11 tries. Geovonie McKnight contributed 13 points and 5 rebounds as well.</p>
<p>Forwards <span>L.J. Livingston</span> and <span>Logan McLane</span> paced the 'Hawks with 6 and 7 rebounds respectively.</p>
<p>A 10-11 performance from the bench on free throws proved particularly clutch as the 'Hawks went 23-28 on the day from the line.</p>
<p>The RedHawks and their guard-oriented lineup gained the rebounding edge, something that doesn't happen to often for Coach John Cooper's team. For a group that's towards the back end in the country in rebounds per game (31 per), Miami had to be happy with its effort on the boards, finishing with a 39-32 edge. It was only the second time this season that Miami has grabbed more boards than its opponent in its eight games against D-1 foes.</p>
<p><span>Grant Benzinger</span> put up 15 points for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/wright-st-raiders">Raiders</a>, who fell to their seventh loss in 10 games, five of those losses coming on the road. WSU's JT Yoho led all scorers with 17 points.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-basketball/2015/12/13/10035208/wright-state-raiders-miami-redhawks-basketball-finalKaleb Carter2015-12-12T23:09:17-05:002015-12-12T23:09:17-05:00Kent State improves to 5-0 at home
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<p>Kent State hangs on late over Canisius 84-77 on a balanced effort led by five players in double figures. </p> <p id="paragraph0" class="pgh-paragraph has-dropcap">Kent State improved to 7-2 with a strong win over Canisius by holding off a late run by the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/canisius-golden-griffins" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden Griffins</a>. The Flashes, led by <span>Kellon Thomas</span>' 17 points, three rebounds and four assists, shot an impeccable 54 percent from the field and won the rebounding battle 45-29.</p>
<p id="paragraph1" class="pgh-paragraph">Kent State was in the driver's seat throughout the entire game, only giving up the lead for brief moments in the first half. Their big struggle in this game was the free throw line as they only shot 57 percent. On the flip side, they made 32 field goals on 18 assists and topped the 80-point plateau for the first time this season. They had five members from the team in double figures and are poised for a great run in conference play starting in January.</p>
<p id="paragraph2" class="pgh-paragraph">The Golden Griffins (3-6) were led by sophomore <span>Jermaine Crumpton</span> who had 25 points on 15 field goal attempts providing a very efficient effort. He alone kept the Golden Griffins in the game as he scored 10 of his 25 points late in the game. His last chance effort wasn't enough as <span>Jimmy Hall</span> had four clutch free throws to put the game out of reach.</p>
<p id="paragraph3" class="pgh-paragraph">Up next for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/kent-st-golden-flashes" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden Flashes</a> is 19th-ranked SMU. The game is part of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1. It'll be a must watch as SMU is unbeaten and can be a huge non-conference win for the Flashes if they were to pull the upset. The winner of that game will move on to play the winner of Colorado and Penn State in the championship game. The Flashes then finish out their non-conference schedule at North Carolina A&T and home to Oberlin.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="must-reads-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>Game Leaders<span class="must-reads-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<p> </p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" width="100%">
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<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left">Player</th> <th align="center">Kent State</th> <th align="center">Canisius</th>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>Points</b></td>
<td align="center">K. Thomas (17)</td>
<td align="center">J. Crumpton (25)</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>Rebounds</b></td>
<td align="center">C. Ortiz (10)</td>
<td align="center">K. Bleeker (7)</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>Assists</b></td>
<td align="center">X. Pollard (5)</td>
<td align="center">M. McMillan (5)</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>Blocks</b></td>
<td align="center">Three tied (2)</td>
<td align="center">M. McMillan (1)</td>
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<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left"><b>Steals</b></td>
<td align="center">Seven tied (1)</td>
<td align="center">J. Reynolds (2)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-basketball/2015/12/12/10021194/canisius-golden-griffins-vs-kent-state-golden-flashes-mens-basketball-final-score-recapRob Willer2015-12-12T21:51:03-05:002015-12-12T21:51:03-05:00Akron shoots lights out, beats Bethune-Cookman
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<figcaption>Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Akron went off from beyond the arc.</p> <p>Usually when a team shoots 43 percent from beyond the arc, they're going to win. That was the case Saturday night at James A. Rhodes Arena, where the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/akron-zips">Akron Zips</a> connected on 15-35 shots from beyond the three-point line to coast to an 81-60 win over the visiting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/bethune-cookman-wildcats">Bethune-Cookman Wildcats</a>.</p>
<p>The game didn't start all that well for Akron, who fell behind 7-1 in the first three minutes of the game. But that malaise didn't last long as the Zips responded with a 13-2 run of their own, six of which coming from <span>Josh Williams</span> back-to-back threes.</p>
<p>Those threes would be the story of the game. 27 of Akron's 41 first-half points were from three-pointers and there was a point in the first half where the Zips hit four straight threes on four straight possessions - the first and last from <span>Jake Kretzer</span> and the middle two from <span>Noah Robotham</span>.</p>
<p>Akron was efficient from inside the arc as well, hitting 39 percent of field goals and 70 percent from the charity stripe. Defensively Akron played well forcing 13 turnovers but the Zips were outrebounded 47-41. Bethune-Cookman struggled from the floor, shooting 35 percent (25-72) and 4-24 from beyond the arc.</p>
<p>B-C's Ricky Johnson, a senior who attended high school just down the road from the JAR at St. Vincent-St. Mary, led the team in scoring in his return home. Forward Mario Moody had a strong game as well, posting a double double with 12 points and 14 rebounds (7 offensive).</p>
<p>Akron (7-2) returns to action on December 21st when they take on UC-Santa Barbara in the South Point Hoops Classic in Las Vegas. The Wildcats (4-5) get a home game with The Citadel on Wednesday before heading to Toledo a week from Saturday.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span class="must-reads-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>Game Leaders<span class="must-reads-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<p> </p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="1" width="100%">
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<tr bgcolor="#EDF1F3">
<th align="left">Player</th> <th align="center">Akron</th> <th align="center">Bethune-Cookman</th>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>Points</b></td>
<td align="center">J. Kretzer (16)</td>
<td align="center">R. Johnson (15)</td>
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<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>Rebounds</b></td>
<td align="center">Four tied (6)</td>
<td align="center">M. Moody (14)</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>Assists</b></td>
<td align="center">An. Jackson (5)</td>
<td align="center">J. Potts (3)</td>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="#FFFFFF" onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'">
<td align="left"><b>Blocks</b></td>
<td align="center">I. Johnson (3)</td>
<td align="center">M. Moody (4)</td>
</tr>
<tr onmouseout="this.bgColor='#FFFFFF'" onmouseover="this.bgColor='#C7D9EC'" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left"><b>Steals</b></td>
<td align="center">An. Jackson (2)</td>
<td align="center">Three tied (1)</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-basketball/2015/12/12/10021052/bethune-cookman-wildcats-vs-akron-zips-mens-basketball-recap-final-scoreBrandon Hickey2015-12-12T21:09:59-05:002015-12-12T21:09:59-05:00Felder's 34 too much, Oakland rolls Toledo, 76-64
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<p>It may have been close, but Oakland lead the whole way in a 76-64 road win over the Rockets</p> <p>The struggle started early.</p>
<p>Over the first few minutes of Saturday night's 76-64 loss to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies (6-3), the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/toledo-rockets">Toledo Rockets</a> couldn't get going and in a blink of an eye, they trailed 9-0</p>
<p>Despite giving up a 11-2 run to begin the game, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/toledo-rockets">Rockets</a> would fight back. In nearly no time it was anyone's game again, as Toledo rallied to cut Oakland's halftime advantage to just 5.</p>
<p>Oakland began the second half on a 4-0 spurt to take a 42-33 lead, the Golden Grizzlies' largest since they were up 11-2 in those early minutes.</p>
<p>However, Toledo would not go away. The Rockets responded with a 6-0 run, and kept Oakland off the scoreboard for nearly 5 minutes. Oakland erased the comeback with a quick 5 point burst to retake a eight point lead.</p>
<p>After that, the two sides traded buckets and the Golden Grizzlies took an 49-44 advantage into the 12 minute TV timeout. Afterwards, Oakland would retake control of the game, taking another nine point lead with a bit under 10 minutes left.</p>
<p>The Golden Grizzlies took total control of the game by expanding their lead up to 10 on a triple by <span>Nick Daniels</span>, and then to 13 on another three by <span>Sherron Dorsey-Walker</span>.</p>
<p>Oakland had 4 players finish in double figures, led by <span>Kahlil Felder</span>, who had 34 points on the night and <span>Percy Gibson</span> who chipped in 13. Toledo's leading scorer was <span>Nathan Boothe</span> with 18. <span>Jonathan Williams</span> also chipped in 14 for the Rockets.</p>
<p>Toledo would keep fighting, bringing the Oakland lead back down to 7 at one point, but another three by Oakland, this time by <span>Max Hooper</span>, gave the Grizzlies another 10-point advantage with 4:54 to play.</p>
<p>The teams would trade baskets for the final minutes of the contest, but Toledo never got closer than six points down and Oakland made their free throws late to close out the Rockets.</p>
<p>Next up, the Golden Grizzlies head out to the west coast to play Washington, while Toledo stays at home to take on Bethune-Cookman.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-basketball/2015/12/12/10017054/oakland-grizzlies-vs-toledo-rockets-mens-basketball-final-scoreSam Barloga2015-12-12T20:23:10-05:002015-12-12T20:23:10-05:00Central Michigan defeats Texas Southern, 79-71
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<figcaption>Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Braylon Rayson made six 3-pointers as Central Michigan defeated Texas Southern, 79-71. The Chippewas are above .500 again, as we move along in this season. </p> <p>On Star Wars Night in McGuirk Arena, <span>Braylon Rayson</span> lead the Central Michigan Chippewas with 22 points, <span>Chris Fowler</span> had 20, and Luke Meyer added 12 as Central Michigan (5-4) rallied to come back and defeat the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/texas-southern-tigers" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Southern Tigers</a> 79-71.</p>
<p>In a game that went back and forth throughout, CMU went back to doing what they do best, and what everyone wanted them to do. The Chips shot 56 percent from the field, as they made 28 of their 50 attempted shots and was 14-for-25 behind the arc. Central Michigan also found their stroke at the free throw line, sinking 9 of their 12 shots.</p>
<p>Rayshawn Simmons struggled on the court making only one of his nine shots, but made a clutch shot late in the game to extend the Chippewa lead. John Simons turned it back on after a quiet game against Aquinas College, as he scored nine points, all on 3-pointers, and grabbing seven rebounds.</p>
<p>For Texas Southern, Derrick Griffin had 23 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and Malcom Riley had 16 points with nine rebounds to lead the Tigers in this see-saw matchup.</p>
<p>The return of Chris Fowler has once again give the Chippewas more and more to cheer about, as Fowler has helped lead the Chips in his two games so far this season.</p>
<p>The Chippewas look to next week, as they will travel to Provo, Utah to take on the Brigham Young Cougars. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. The Chippewas look to ride this wave of momentum and win their first road game of the season.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-basketball/2015/12/12/10011668/texas-southern-tigers-cmu-chippewas-basketball-recap-final-scoreGrant McPherson2015-12-12T15:26:54-05:002015-12-12T15:26:54-05:00Bobcats win 76-67 over CSU at the Q
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<p>Behind nice performances from Antonio Campbell, Jaaron Simmons and Jordan Dartis, Ohio easily dispatched of Cleveland State Saturday afternoon. </p> <p>Ohio took its chance to play in the Q for the first time this season and ran with it. A strong run to begin the second half had the Bobcats sitting on the pretty end of a 76-67 score Saturday afternoon.</p>
<p>The Bobcats ran all over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/cleveland-st-vikings">Vikings</a> in the second half, going on a 15-4 run to start the half, with 9 of those points coming via Jordan Dartis 3-pointers. Dartis took advantage of his first career start (in place of the defensive-minded <span>Khari Harley</span>) and figures to see even more time after his 5-9 effort from 3-point land. He was already seeing more significant minutes than Harley, but his ability to stretch the floor while helping <span>Jaaron Simmons</span> run the offense is proving really fruitful.</p>
<p><span>Antonio Campbell</span> led the way with 23 points on 10-15 shooting and 10 rebounds in what was a career-day for him.</p>
<p>It was a bit of a sluggish first half at times, but it was still a well-played first half in terms of offense. Ohio found its footing late in the half and snatched a 36-34 lead going into the break. The referees let things be, as the the two teams combined to shoot just 3 free throws in the first half.</p>
<p>Jaaron Simmons had a nice opening period with 11 points and 3 assists. His play fueled the jump from down 30-26 to up 36-32. Two buckets and an assist in that time frame helped put Ohio up. The 'Cats never trailed again. Simmons completed the afternoon with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. <span>Treg Setty</span> earned some hustle points to help, finishing with 8 points and 6 rebounds.</p>
<p>Ohio led by as much as 17 but took a few too many 3-pointers early in the shot clock as the game came down to its end, allowing Cleveland State to push the pace and get some buckets back.The 'Cats yielded 34 total points to the duo of <span>Andre Yates</span> and Rob Edwards, but the Vikings were not able to get points off of 12 Ohio turnovers, a category that has doomed Ohio in some games this season. The 42 points in the pain were also a welcome sight for an Ohio team that really needed a strong performance from its bigs. Campbell gave the 'Cats what they needed today.</p>
<p>Next time Ohio plays in the Q, it'll be playing for something a bit more special. For now, it'll take its' satisfactory fifth win.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-basketball/2015/12/12/9992858/ohio-bobcats-cleveland-state-vikings-mens-basketball-finalKaleb Carter2015-12-12T15:16:27-05:002015-12-12T15:16:27-05:00Cards fall to Waves 72-63 to end winning streak
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<p>Pepperdine was just too much in the end.</p> <p>Despite erasing two large deficits, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/ball-st-cardinals" class="sbn-auto-link">Ball State Cardinals</a> fell to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/pepperdine-waves" class="sbn-auto-link">Pepperdine Waves</a>, 72-63 on Saturday afternoon.</p>
<p>Down 49-40 with 14 minutes left in the game, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/teams/ball-st-cardinals" class="sbn-auto-link">Cardinals</a> used a 11-0 run to take their first lead since early in the first half.</p>
<p>The first run came late in the first half when Ball State erased a 14-point Pepperdine lead to tie the game at 30, but the Waves responded with 8 straight points to take a 38-30 lead into the break.</p>
<p>After Ball State tied the game on their second half run, the scores remained level for about 4 minutes until Ball State broke out two straight triples on the Pepperdine defense to control a 60-54 lead with under 6 minutes left.</p>
<p>However, the Waves would strike right back. Pepperdine's good defense combined with their ability to attack offensively allowed them to tie it up at 60 with a touch over 4 minutes left.</p>
<p>Less than a minute after the 4-minute TV timeout, Pepperdine would take their first lead in about 5 minutes of play, 62-61.</p>
<p>After trading baskets, Pepperdine's <span>Shawn Olden</span> would give the Waves a four-point lead on a clutch-three-pointer with under 1:45 left.</p>
<p>Then, after a huge stop by the Waves, <span>Jeremy Major</span> would convert a three-point play that would serve as the dagger into Ball State's heart.</p>
<p>The Waves would hit their free throws late to close out the victory.</p>
<p>Ball State's six-game winning streak comes to an end despite four Cardinals scoring into double figures, lead by 14 from <span>Bo Calhoun</span>.</p>
<p>Olden would lead all scores with 18 from off the bench for Pepperdine.</p>
<p>Ball State will travel to face Indiana State next in Terre Haute, while Pepperdine heads back home to play Louisiana-Lafayette.</p>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-basketball/2015/12/12/9992748/pepperdine-waves-vs-ball-state-cardinals-mens-basketball-final-scoreSam Barloga2015-12-11T18:40:37-05:002015-12-11T18:40:37-05:00Central Michigan to host "Star Wars Night" for basketball game vs. Texas Southern<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.themorningsun.com/sports/20151211/mcguirk-awakens-as-central-michigan-hosts-star-wars-night-on-saturday-versus-texas-southern">Central Michigan to host "Star Wars Night" for basketball game vs. Texas&nbsp;Southern</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Proving that you can never ever ever escape branding ever, the CMU men's basketball game against Texas Southern will be "Star Wars Night", where students will be encouraged to dress up in character. CM Life, the student publication, had photo ops with Stormtroopers, Chewbacca, and Darth Vader over the past week, but there is no word yet on who will make an appearance tomorrow. The game is 4:30 p.m. at McGuirk Arena.</p></p></div>
https://www.hustlebelt.com/2015/12/11/9914744/central-michigan-to-host-star-wars-night-for-basketball-game-vs-texasJames H. Jimenez