2023-24 MAC Men’s Basketball Quarterfinals: Highlights and More
2023-24 MAC Men’s Basketball Quarterfinals: Highlights and More
#8 Golden Flashes Sends #1 Rockets Home Early 67-59
The #8 Kent State Golden Flashes defeated the #1 Toledo Rockets in a huge 67-59 upset victory to kick off the Men’s tournament. After a shocking 28-24 first half over the Rockets, the Golden Flashes refused to lose their lead to secure the win over the Regular Season Champions, shooting 43.3% from the field in the final 20 minutes. Redshirt Junior Forward VonCameron Davis led the Golden Flashes with a 26 point and 12 rebound double-double, while Junior Guard Jalen Sullinger followed with 14 points and 3 rebounds. For the Rockets, Junior Guard Dante Maddox Jr. finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals, while Junior Guard Tyler Cochran followed with 14 points and 5 rebounds.
Falcons Sends Chippewas Home in 66-56 Win
The #5 Bowling Green Falcons sent the #4 Central Michigan Chippewas home early in a 66-56 victory. After a game of where both teams were on each other’s tails, the Falcons pulled away in the last minutes to come out victorious and advance to the semifinals. Senior Guard Trey Thomas finished the game with 20 points and 5 rebounds for the Falcons, including two 3-pointers to give the Falcons the advantage in the last minute. Senior Forward Rashaun Agee followed Thomas’s performance with a 13 point, 17 rebound double-double for the Falcons. For the Chippewas, Graduate Student Guard Brian Taylor finished with a 13 point and 10 rebound double-double, while Junior Guard Derrick Butler followed with 14 points and 3 rebounds.
Zips Takes Control in 2nd Half to Send Redhawks Home 75-63
The #2 Akron Zips defeated the #7 Miami (OH) Redhawks 75-63 to advance to the semifinals. The first half ended with a two point lead for the Zips over the Redhawks in a intense slugfest, but the Zips came out the tunnels in a different mindset to take control of the game to win over the Redhawks, shooting 48.3% from the field in the second half. Senior Forward Enrique Freeman led the game with a 30 point and 12 rebound performance, while Senior Guard Ali Ali followed with 14 points and 5 rebounds. For the Redhawks, Senior Center Anderson Mirambeuax finished with 17 points and 4 rebounds, while Graduate Student Forward Darweshi Hunter followed with 16 points and 2 rebounds.
Bobcats Advances to Semifinals in Fashion in 82-55 Win over Western Michigan
The #3 Ohio Bobcats defeated the #6 Western Michigan Broncos in a 82-55 blowout to cap off the quarterfinal night and advance to the semifinals. After a slow first half start, the Bobcats shot 47.5% from the field in the second to Western Michigan’s 39.4%. Graduate Student Guard Shereef Mitchell led the Bobcats with 15 points, 4 assists and 6 steals, while Senior Guard Jaylin Hunter followed with 13 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Sophomore Forward Aidan Hadaway and Junior Forward AJ Clayton dominated the boards with 11 rebounds each. For the Broncos, Redshirt Junior Guard B. Artis White finished with 12 points and 3 rebounds, while Junior Forward Owen Lobsinger followed with 11 points and 8 rebounds.