2023-24 MAC Men & Women’s Basketball Semifinals: Highlights, and More
Women’s Semifinals:
Bulls Shocks #1 in Overtime Thriller 77-74
The #4 Buffalo Bulls sent the #1 Toledo Rockets home after a thrilling 77-74 overtime victory. Despite a 4th quarter comeback from the Rockets to force overtime, the Bulls prevailed to eliminate the regular season champions. Redshirt Junior Guard Chellia Watson led the Bulls with a 30 point, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals performance, while Freshman Guard Kirsten Lewis-Williams followed with 15 points and 7 rebounds. For the Rockets, Senior Forward Sammi Mikonowicz finished with a 19 point and 10 rebound double-double, while Fifth Year Guard Quinesha Lockett followed with 18 point and 10 rebound double-double of her own.
#3 Kent State Advances to Championship over #2 Ball State 65-50
The #3 Kent State Golden Flashes defeated the #2 Ball State Cardinals 65-50 to advance to the MAC Championship. Junior Forward Bridget Dunn led the Golden Flashes with a 16 point and 13 rebound double- double, while Redshirt Senior Guard Katie Shumate followed with a 12 point and 14 rebound double-double. Freshman Forward Janae Tyler also added 16 points. For the Cardinals, Junior Guard Ally Becki finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, while Junior Forward Madelyn Bischoff followed with 10 points.
Men’s Semifinals:
Golden Flashes Dances to Championship Game
The #8 Kent State Golden Flashes continues their underdog story by defeated the #5 Bowling Green Falcons 73-60. Shooting 51% from the field all night, the Golden Flashes hit 66.7% from 3 point land to punch their ticket to the championship game. Junior Guard Jalen Sullinger led the Golden Flashes with 22 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, while Redshirt Senior Guard Giovanni Santiago followed with 20 points, 6 assists and 3 steals. For the Falcons, Junior Guard Marcus Hill finished with 22 points and 6 rebounds, while Senior Forward Rashaun Agee followed with 15 points and 7 rebounds.
Zips Completes 2nd Half Comeback Behind Freeman to Overtake Bobcats 65-62
Concluding the semifinal night, the #2 Akron Zips came back from a 26-16 first half deficit to defeat the #3 Ohio Bobcats to punch their ticket to the championship game. Starting to claw their way back in the 2nd half with 3 3-pointers by Senior Forward Sammy Hunter, the Zips found their way back in the game behind their senior Forward Enrique Freeman. Freeman, who unanimously won the MAC Player of The Year, finished with an astounding 24 points, 21 rebounds, and 7 blocks, while Senior Guard Ali Ali followed with 16 points and 8 rebounds. For the Bobcats, Senior Guard Jaylin Hunter finished with 17 points and 5 rebounds, while Fifth Year Guard Miles Brown followed with 16 points and 5 rebounds.