Cheese Scores Career-High in Win Over Miami
Saturday's Scoreboard
Akron 70, Miami 58
Central Michigan 64, Ball State 57
Eastern Michigan 77, Western Michigan 76
Toledo 57, Northern Illinois 54
Stories Courtesy of The Associated Press
Akron 70, Miami 58
Box Score
AKRON, Ohio -- Tyler Cheese had 27 points and Daniel Utomi added 19 as Akron charged out to an early lead to take a 70-58 victory over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday to halt a three-game losing skid.
Cheese nailed all three attempts from beyond the arc and was 10 of 16 from the floor. Utomi was 5 of 8 from long range. Loren Cristian Jackson added 11 points and Jimond Ivey dished out seven assists while pulling down seven rebounds for Akron (15-12 7-7 Mid-American Conference).
Abdoulaye Harouna had 13 points and Darrian Ringo 12 for Miami (14-13, 6-8).
The Zips had a 13-2 run midway in the second half to go up 57-42 with 7:59 remaining in the game and Akron coasted to the win.
Central Michigan 64,
Ball State 57
Box Score
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Kevin McKay had 17 points and 19 rebounds to lead Central Michigan to a 64-57 win over Ball St. on Saturday.
Larry Austin Jr. had 16 points for Central Michigan (19-8, 8-6 Mid-American Conference), which snapped its four-game road losing streak. Dallas Morgan added 14 points. Rob Montgomery had nine rebounds and three blocks for the road team.
The Chippewas were in trouble after the first half, entering the locker room at halftime trailing 34-23. But the visitors mounted a second-half rally to get back in it and ultimately earn the victory. The Cardinals' 23 points in the second half marked a season low for the team.
Tahjai Teague had 12 points for the Cardinals (14-13, 5-9). Tayler Personsadded 11 points. Trey Moses had three assists and three blocks.
The Chippewas leveled the season series against the Cardinals with the win. Ball St. defeated Central Michigan 83-72 on Jan. 19. Central Michigan matches up against Eastern Michigan on the road on Tuesday. Ball St. matches up against Toledo at home on Tuesday.
Eastern Michigan 77, Western Michigan 76
Box Score
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Paul Jackson scored 18 points as Eastern Michigan narrowly defeated Western Michigan 77-76 in overtime on Saturday.
Jackson's jumper gave the Eagles a 74-66 lead with 1:18 remaining in OT but EMU made only 3 of 10 free throws down the stretch and missed its final four tries from the line. Still, EMU led 77-73 after Kevin McAdoomissed two free throws with 7 seconds remaining. Jared Printy made a 3-pointer for Western Michigan as time ran out.
James Thompson IV added 17 points for the Eagles, while McAdoo chipped in 16. Thompson IV also had 11 rebounds for the Eagles.
Boubacar Toure had 11 points and three blocks for Eastern Michigan (13-14, 7-7 Mid-American Conference).
Elijah Minnie, whose 14 points per game coming into the contest led the Eagles, had 7 points. He shot 20 percent from 3-point range (1 of 5).
Seth Dugan had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Broncos (8-19, 2-12). Michael Flowers added 14 points. Josh Davis had 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The Eagles improved to 2-0 against the Broncos for the season. Eastern Michigan defeated Western Michigan 93-67 on Jan. 26.
Eastern Michigan plays Central Michigan at home on Tuesday. Western Michigan matches up against Northern Illinois on the road on Tuesday.
Toledo 57, Northern Illinois 54
Box Score
TOLDEO, Ohio -- Nate Navigato scored 10 of his 21 points late in the game as Toledo overcame an 11-point Northern Illinois lead to edge the Huskies 57-54 Saturday night.
Leading from the opening tip against the Mid-American Conference West Division leaders, Northern Illinois had just taken its largest lead, 43-32, on a Lacey James dunk with about 12 minutes left.
Navigato answered with back-to-back 3-pointers and Willie Jacksondunked to whack the lead down to 43-40. Marreon Jackson then scored seven points, pulling the Rockets (21-6, 9-5 Mid-American) into a 48-48 tie when he sank a 3-pointer and was fouled, converting the 4-point play.
Navigato forged a 50-50 tie with free throws and Luke Knapke pushed Toledo ahead for the first time all game with a layup off a turnover at the 3:20 mark.
Eugene German led Northern Illinois (12-15, 5-9) with 22 points including five 3-pointers, with eight rebounds and three steals. Dante Thorpe added 12 points.
