No. 2 Akron 62, No. 8 Kent State 61
Box Score
CLEVELAND, Ohio-- The No. 2 Akron Zips won the 2024 MAC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship, defeating No. 8 Kent State by a final score of 62-61. The Zips will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Zips (24-10) had three players score in double figures, led by Ali Ali, who had 18 points and five assists. Enrique Freeman tacked on 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks and Nate Johnson chipped in as well with 11 points.

The Akron offense was very productive from deep, knocking down eight threes on 29 attempts. Ali was the most prolific shooter for the Zips, draining three treys in the contest.

The Akron defense held Kent State shooters to only 37.9 percent from the field, including 21.1 percent from three-point range. The Zips also kept Giovanni Santiago to 3-of-13 shooting and seven points in the game.

How It Happened
After playing to a 26-26 tie, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 1:31 left in the first half to take a 34-26 lead. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 34-29 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 34 points.

Kent State proceeded to take a 52-51 lead before Akron went on an 8-0 run, finished off by Ali's layup, to seize a 59-52 lead with 3:31 to go in the contest. The Golden Flashes narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still held on for the 62-61 win.

MAC All-Tournament Team
Ali Ali - Akron
Enrique Freeman - Akron (MVP)
VonCameron Davis - Kent State
Jalen Sullinger - Kent State
Jaylin Hunter - Ohio