Box Score
AKRON, Ohio (AP) (Mar. 1) -- David Webber hit 24 points, including
making 9-of-11 free throws, as Central Michigan held off Akron in a
75-73 victory on March 1 in
the first round of the Mid-American Conference tournament.
Central Michigan (6-22, 2-16 MAC), which came into the tournament after
losing their last eight games, plays Marshall in the quarterfinals
Sunday in Gund Arena
in Cleveland. This was the team's first MAC tournament win in 10 years.
The loss marked the third consecutive year that Akron (17-11, 11-7) has
lost in the tournament at home.
Up 75-73, Central Michigan's Jon Borovich prevented Akron from tying
the game with two seconds left by blocking the ball before it left Jami
Bosley's hand.
Akron was trailing 68-61 with 1:40 to go when the Zips went on a 9-4
run to pull within two points with 22 seconds left. Central Michigan's
Tim Kisner made two
free throws to make it 74-70 but Akron's Nate Schindewolf cut that lead
to one by hiting a 3-pointer. Kisner then made 1-of-2 free throws to put
Central
Michigan up for good.
Webber scored 15 of his points in the second half. The two teams were
tied 34-34 at the half.
Chad Pleiness added 15 points and led with eight rebounds for Central
Michigan while Borovich had 12 points and six assists.
Akron was led by Andy Hipsher who had a career-high 27 points,
including making 11-of-12 free throws. Bosley and Schinewolf had 11
points each.