“CLEVELAND: The University of Akron men’s basketball team defeated the Bowling Green State University Falcons 63-55 on Friday night to advance to the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship Game for the third-straight year. The Zips will face the third-seeded Buffalo Bulls tonight for the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.”
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CLEVELAND: The University of Akron men’s basketball team defeated the Bowling Green State University Falcons 63-55 on Friday night to advance to the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship Game for the third-straight year.

The Zips will face the third-seeded Buffalo Bulls tonight for the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Senior Nate Linhart’s 11 points in the win gave him 1,000 points for his four-year UA career. While acknowledging he’s proud to reach the milestone, Linhart said he’s focusing all his energy on trying to win the tournament title.

Getting to this championship game isn’t enough for me any more, he said. It’s the third time I’ve been here. It’s cool, but I want the championship more than anything else right now.

UA (22-12) built a 28-17 halftime lead by crashing the offensive and defensive glass. The Zips outrebounded the Falcons 25-to-12 and took advantage of BGSU only hitting 5-of-25 from the field in the first half.

At the start of the second half, the Falcons made an offensive run behind their senior leader Nate Miller. After scoring only two points in the first half, Miller hit 5-of-8 3-pointers and scored 27 points in engineering a BGSU comeback.

The Falcons (19-13) completed their comeback and took their first lead in the game when guard Darryl Clements hit a 3-pointer to break a 40-40 tie with 8:17 left in the game.

We fought back (and) took the lead – went up three – and, then, just didn’t make enough shots down the stretch, BGSU head coach Louis Orr said. I give Akron credit. They’re a tough, hard-nosed team that guards you. They played a physical game.

After that play, however, UA went on a 7-to-0 run to re-gain the lead and momentum. The Zips made a handful of pivotal defensive stops and converted free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

We hit them with our best shot in the first half and, then, they just came at us and knocked us to the canvas, UA head coach Keith Dambrot said. I just give our guys a lot of credit for their resolve and toughness.

UA shot 43.2 percent (19-of-44) from the field for the game while connecting on 7-of-18 3-point attempts. BGSU shot 33.9 percent (20-of-59) from the field, and converted 7 3-pointers.

UA held a decisive advantage at the free throw line, making 18-of-23 from the charity stripe. BGSU connected on 8-of-12 free throw attempts.

Miller led all scorers with 27 points. Sophomore forward Brett McKnight led three Zips in double figures with 14 points. Chris McKnight grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.

Tip-off between the Zips and Bulls is set for 8 p.m. in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN2.

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