Akron basketball score, live updates vs. Toledo | Zips return to MAC Tournament title game

Story by

Story by
Akron basketball score, live updates vs. Toledo | Zips return to MAC Tournament title game

Nate Ulrich and Michael Beaven, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Fri, Mar 14, 2025 ·

11 min read

About Our Ads

CLEVELAND — Beating a quality opponent three times in the same season is a daunting task, but it's exactly what the Akron Zips men's basketball team did Friday night to advance past the Toledo Rockets in the Mid-American Conference Tournament .

Akron guard Nate Johnson scored a career-high 31 points to lead top-seeded Akron to a 100-90 triumph over No. 4 Toledo in a semifinal at Rocket Arena. Johnson's outburst came after he produced just three points in Thursday's 96-67 win over Bowling Green . Toledo edged Ohio 90-85 in overtime to earn a showdown with Akron.

Akron advanced to face No. 2 Miami (25-8) in the MAC Tournament championship game at 7:40 p.m. Saturday. Miami prevailed 72-64 over No. 3 Kent State in a semifinal Friday night. Akron coach John Groce and Miami coach Travis Steele are brothers .

Here is how Akron (27-6) versus Toledo (18-15) unfolded through our updates:

Akron defeats Toledo 100-90 in MAC Tournament semifinal

In addition to Johnson scoring a game-high 31 points, he compiled six assists, five rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal. Guards Tavari Johnson (15 points), Isaiah Gray (15 points) and Shammah Scott (14 points) and forward Amani Lyles (12 points, nine rebounds) helped lead UA's attack.

Johnson's 31 points tied the Akron record for most points scored in a MAC tourney game. It has happened four times in program history.

Guard Seth Hubbard came off the bench and paced Toledo with 28 points. Guard Sam Lewis and forward Javan Simmons added 23 and 18 points, respectively.

More Akron Zips news: MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson comes up big in semifinal win

Akron ties program record for most wins in a season

With Friday's victory, Akron tied a school record for most wins in a season with 27. The 2016-17 Zips coached by Keith Dambrot finished 27-9 and had sole possession of the UA record until Friday night.

Akron has yet to trail in this year's MAC tourney.

More MAC Tournament news: How Miami defeated Kent State to set up showdown with Akron

Akron Zips guard Nate Johnson shoots over Toledo forward Andre Lorentsson in the first half of the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals at Rocket Arena, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland.

Akron's Nate Johnson has career high in points, Toledo's Seth Hubbard leaves game with injury and Zips are in control late

Akron led 93-81 with 3:15 left in the second half during a timeout.

Toledo guard Seth Hubbard made a jump shot and appeared to roll an ankle with 3:29 left in the second half. Hubbard had a team-high 26 points at this juncture.

MAC Tournament: Brothers lead Akron, Miami men's basketball teams into championship game

With Hubbard down on the floor during the ensuing possession, Akron guard Nate Johnson made a 3-pointer and reached a career-high 31 points. Johnson's shot gave Akron a 93-81 lead with 3:19 left.

Later, Hubbard returned to the action.

Akron Zips lead Toledo Rockets 79-70 with 7:03 remaining in the second half

The Zips led 79-70 during a media timeout with 7:03 left in the second half.

With 7:26 remaining, Akron guard Sharron Young made a layup off an assist from Nate Johnson after Zips forward Amani Lyles blocked a shot on the other end of the floor.

Since free throws stemming from a brief altercation (see more below), Akron has outscored Toledo 9-5.

Akron trying to hang on, leading Toledo 89-78 with 3:56 left in the second half

The Zips led 89-78 during a media timeout with 3:56 remaining.

Akron guard Nate Johnson tied a career-high 28 points when he made two free throws with 5:51 remaining, extending UA's lead to 83-73.

Toledo guard Sam Lewis fouled out with 4:46 remaining, and Akron guard Tavari Johnson made both free throws, giving the Zips an 86-75 advantage. At the time, Lewis led Toledo with 23 points.

After Toledo guard Seth Hubbard made a 3-pointer with 4:28 left, Akron guard Isaiah Gray immediately answered with a 3 of his own with 4:16 remaining. After Hubbard and Gray traded those shots, Akron led 89-78.

Akron Zips head coach John Groce tries to control is men after forward James Okonkwo, bottom, was fouled by Toledo Rockets guard Seth Hubbard (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Akron's Tavari Johnson, Toledo's Seth Hubbard involved in brief altercation after hard foul on Zips' James Okonkwo

Toledo guard Seth Hubbard fouled Akron forward James Okonkwo as Okonkwo posted up and tried to catch an entry pass near the Zips' basket. Okonkwo hit the floor hard.

Akron guard Tavari Johnson took exception to Hubbard's foul and shoved Hubbard.

After a replay review, Hubbard received a flagrant one foul and Johnson received a technical foul. Okonkwo shot two free throws and made one. Hubbard shot two free throws and made both.

After the sequence, Akron led 70-65 with 11:02 left in the second half, and Toledo got the ball.

Akron Zips forward James Okonkwo (32) is fouled by Toledo Rockets guard Seth Hubbard (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Akron leads Toledo 69-61 with 11:55 remaining in the second half

Akron leads Toledo 69-61 with 11:55 remaining in the second half.

Akron has six team fouls and Toledo has five team fouls. There is the potential for a lot of free throws in the final 12 minutes.

Nate Johnson leads Akron with 24 points, four assists, two blocks, a rebound and a steal. Shammah Scott has 12 points and Tavari Johnson is at 11 points.

Seth Hubbard and Sam Lewis have 16 points apiece for Toledo, Sonny Wilson is at 14 points and Javan Simmons is at 12 points.

Akron guard Sharron Young looks to knock the ball away from Toledo guard Seth Hubbard in the first half of the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals at Rocket Arena, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland.

Toledo's Seth Hubbard limps to bench with 14:07 remaining in the second half; returns to lineup with 13:34 to go as Rockets trim Akron's lead

Toledo's Seth Hubbard limped to the bench with 14:07 remaining in the second half and Akron up 67-59. Hubbard and Sam Lewis each have 16 points for the Rockets. Hubbard is the hot scorer with 12 points in the second half.

Sonny Wilson makes a layup on Toledo's next possession and Akron leads 67-61. Timeout with 13:34 to go.

Hubbard return to the lineup after the timeout.

Wilson has 14 points for Toledo and Javan Simmons is at 12 points.

Nate Johnson leads Akron with 24 points and four assists.

Akron guard Seth Wilson (left) and Toledo guard Sam Lewis pursue a first-half loose ball during the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals at Rocket Arena, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland.

Akron leads Toledo 61-53 with 15:29 remaining in the second half

Akron leads Toledo 61-53 with 15:29 remaining in the second half.

Toledo's Seth Hubbard scored the first points of the second half to trim Akron's lead to 52-47 with 18:31 remaining in the secod half.

Akron responded with Nate Johnson, who made a 3-pointer, a right-handed slam dunk and a jumper. The jumper with 15:38 on the clock gave the Zips the eight-point advantage.

Nate Johnson has 24 points for Akron

Amani Lyles has the other two points in the second half for Akron.

Akron guard Nate Johnson (34) celebrates after a first-half 3-pointer during the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals at Rocket Arena, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland. — Nate Johnson celebrates after a first-half 3-pointer during the MAC Tournament semifinals Friday in Cleveland.

Akron leads Toledo 52-41 at halftime in a MAC Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal

Akron leads Toledo 52-41 at halftime. The Zips have not trailed through their first three halves of MAC tournament action.

Akron's Nate Johnson has 17 points and is 5-of-6 from the field and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. His career-high is 28 points against Toledo in an Akron 85-78 victory on Jan. 14.

Nate Johnson blocked a Bryce Ford 3-point attempt before the halftime buzzer sounded.

Shammah Scott has 12 points and Tavari Johnson is at 11 points.

Sam Lewis leads Toledo with 14 points and Javan Simmons has 12 points.

The Zips are 17-of-26 from the field (65.4%), including 5-of-7 from beyond the 3-point arc, and 13-of-14 from the free throw line.

The Rockets are 14-of-29 from the field (48.3%), including 3-of-10 from 3-point range, and 10-of-12 from the free throw line.

Akron has a 13-10 edge in rebounds and a 16-4 advantage in points by reserves. Akron's largest lead was 13 points after Tavari Johnson made a jumper to make it 52-39 with 1:04 to go.

Akron guard Sharron Young (3) celebrates after the Zips beat Toledo to advance to the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Akron leads Toledo to 43-32 with 3:37 remaining in the first half

Akron leads Toledo to 43-32 with 3:37 remaining in the first half.

Akron's Nate Johnson has 13 points and is 4-of-5 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Tavari Johnson and Shammah Scott are both at nine points.

Sam Lewis leads Toledo with 11 points and Javan Simmons has 10 points.

Akron has a 12-7 edge in rebounds and is 10-of-10 from the free throw line.

Akron extends lead over Toledo to 41-30 with 5:30 remaining in the first half

Akron compiles an 8-0 run to extend its lead over Toledo to 41-30 with 5:30 remaining in the first half.

Isaiah Gray started the run with a field goal, Nate Johnson made four free throws and Shammah Scott stole a pass and made a layup off of a pass from Nate Johnson to give the Zips the 11-point lead.

Akron Zips maintain lead over Toledo Rockets in first half

Akron leads Toledo 33-27 with 7:52 remaining in the first half.

The Zips are 12-of-17 from the field (70.6%), including 5-of-6 from beyond the 3-point arc.

The Rockets are 11-of-18 from the field (61.1%), including 2-of-4 from 3-point range.

Nate Johnson and Tavari Johnson have nine points apiece for Akron. They are a combined 8-of-11 from the field.

Javan Simmons has 10 points for Toledo and is 5-of-5 from the field. He had a slam dunk with 8:27 to go in the first half to trim Akron's lead to six points. Sam Lewis is at eight points for the Rockets.

Akron Zips lead Toledo Rockets 29-23 with 10:35 left in the first half

During a media timeout with 10:35 remaining in the first half, Akron led Toledo 29-23. The Zips have led by as many as 10 points and have yet to trail.

Guard Nate Johnson leads UA with nine points at this stage. He is 4-of-4 shooting from the field (1 of 1 on 3-pointers).

Zips guard Tavari Johnson has seven points, shooting 3-of-4 from the floor (1 of 1 on 3-pointers).

Guard Sam Lewis leads Toledo with eight points.

Akron Zips and MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson off to strong start vs. Toledo

Akron led 14-4 during the game's first media timeout with 15:56 left in the first half.

The Zips made their first three 3-pointers and started the game 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range.

Nate Johnson, the MAC Player of the Year, scored five points in the first four minutes of the game after producing just three points Thursday against Bowling Green.

Nate Johnson, guards Seth Wilson, Isaiah Gray and Tavari Johnson combined to account for UA's first four successful 3-pointers. A blocked shot by Nate Johnson led to Tavari Johnson's 3-pointer in transition with 16:21 left in the first half. The shot gave the Zips a 10-point lead.

Starting lineup for Akron against Toledo

Tavari Johnson, 5-11, junior
Nate Johnson, 6-3, redshirt junior
Isaiah Gray, 6-3, senior
Seth Wilson, 6-2, senior
James Okonkwo, 6-8, senior

Starting lineup for Toledo against Akron

Javan Simmons, 6-7, sophomore
Bryce Ford, 6-3, sophomore
Sonny Wilson, 6-1, sophomore
Isaiah Adams , 6-7, fifth-year senior
Sam Lewis, 6-6, sophomore

What is the history between the Akron Zips and Toledo Rockets in men's basketball?

Akron trails its all-time series against Toledo 42-32, but the Zips are coming off a regular-season sweep of the Rockets.

Akron 96, Toledo 87, March 4 ( Akron's first win at Toledo since 2013 )
Akron 85, Toledo 78, Jan. 14

In the MAC Tournament, Akron is 2-1 against Toledo. The Rockets were the No. 1 seed in each of the past four MAC tourneys but didn't win any of them. In 2022, Akron eliminated Toledo with a 70-62 semifinal triumph.

How to watch today's Akron-Toledo basketball MAC Tournament game on TV. How to listen on radio

Both of the MAC Tournament semifinals Friday, including Akron's against Toledo, can be watched on CBS Sports Network. The Zips game will be broadcast on local radio via WHLO (640-AM).

Akron basketball's record-setting regular season

The Zips set a program record for most regular-season wins (25). Akron had previously won 24 games in two other regular seasons (2006-07 and 2019-20). The Zips won 14 consecutive games at one point en route to winning the MAC by three games over second-place Miami.

Today's MAC Men's Basketball Tournament schedule

Game 5: Akron vs. Toledo, 5 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)
Game 6: Miami vs. Kent State , 7:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

Kent State men's basketball: Golden Flashes win in MAC quarterfinal round

What is Akron basketball's MAC Tournament history?

Akron entered Friday with a record of 39-21 in MAC Tournament games. The Zips have won five MAC tourney championships (2009, 2011, 2013, 2022 and 2024).

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron men's basketball score vs Toledo MAC Tournament recap

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by: