Akron men's basketball score vs. Bowling Green I Zips roll in MAC Tournament quarterfinals

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Akron men's basketball score vs. Bowling Green I Zips roll in MAC Tournament quarterfinals

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

Thu, Mar 13, 2025 ·

13 min read

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CLEVELAND — After winning the Mid-American Conference men's basketball regular-season title, the Akron Zips opened 2025 MAC Tournament play Thursday morning with the look of a champion.

The top-seeded Zips thrashed the No. 8 Bowling Green Falcons 96-67 in a quarterfinal at Rocket Arena. UA advanced to play No. 4 Toledo, a 90-85 overtime winner over No. 5 Ohio in Thursday's second game, in a semifinal at 5 p.m. Friday.

Akron has won two of the last three MAC Tournament titles ( 2024 and 2022 ). The winner of the MAC tourney receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament .

Here is how Akron (26-6) versus Bowling Green (14-18) unfolded through out updates :

Akron crushes Bowling Green 96-67 in Mid-American Conference Tournament

Bowen Hardman scored a team-high 17 points off the bench for the Zips, followed by fellow guards Seth Wilson (15), Tavari Johnson (14), Shammah Scott (14), Sharron Young (12) and Isaiah Gray (11).

Akron won in a blowout despite MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson scoring just three points. He added eight rebounds and five assists. Tavari Johnson had a game-high seven assists.

A St. Vincent-St. Mary High School graduate, Bowling Green forward Marcus Johnson finished with a game-high 23 points. Johnson made 5-of-7 shots from 3-point range. The rest of the Falcons shot 0-for-14 from deep.

Akron made 16-of-39 shots from beyond the 3-point arc. Wilson made 5-of-7 from deep and Hardman made 4-of-7.

Akron Zips men's basketball: Akron's Tavari Johnson small in stature, but huge vs Bowling Green in MAC tourney | Ulrich

Akron's Bowen Hardman puts up a 3-pointer as Bowling Green's Jamal Felt defends in a Mid-American Conference quarterfinal March 13, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. — Akron’s Bowen Hardman puts up a 3-pointer as Bowling Green’s Jamal Felt defends in a Mid-American Conference quarterfinal March 13, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

"Our guys were locked in the last three days," Akron coach John Groce said. "I thought we played like we practiced, in particular the last two practices. I have got a great [coaching] staff and support staff who help prepare the guys. The guys bought in to what we needed to get done today. I thought the thing that stood out was our defensive impact consistently over the course of 40 minutes."

The Zips scored their first 27 points off of 3-point makes until Scott made two free throws to make it 29-18 in the first half. James Okonkwo (eight points, eight rebounds) made Akron's first two-point field goal when he threw down a two-hand slam dunk off of an alley-oop pass from Tavari Johnson to give Akron a 33-22 lead with 3:17 remaining in the first half.

More Akron Zips basketball: 'It is all love' when Akron's Seth Wilson, BG's Marcus Johnson meet in MAC Tournament

Akron led 42-30 at halftime. The Zips' largest lead was 37 points three different times in the second half: 90-53 after a Wilson 3, 92-55 following a Tavari Johnson jumper and 94-57 after a Hardman layup.

Akron's Seth Wilson celebrates a late bucket against Bowling Green in a Mid-American Conference quarterfinal March 13, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. — Akron’s Seth Wilson celebrates a late bucket against Bowling Green in a Mid-American Conference quarterfinal March 13, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

"Twenty one assists on 34 field goals, I thought we were super unselfish moving the ball and playing together," Groce said. "We have got a group that really doesn't care who shoots, as long as we get a great shot."

Akron finished with 32 rebounds, 32 points off turnovers and 45 points from reserves. BG totaled eight assists, 38 rebounds, five points off turnovers and 10 points from reserves.

"We are doing a great job this year sharing the basketball," Hardman said. "Guys like TJ, come in every single night looking to find guys, including myself. That is awesome. That just shows the work that we put in and how much we really want to share the ball and how good this team can play together.

"... This [victory] really speaks to our slogan, too: 'All gas, no breaks.' You gotta be able to finish games, especially in March. I think we did a pretty good job today."

Akron's Tavari Johnson battles for possession of a loose ball against Bowling Green in a Mid-American Conference quarterfinal March 13, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. — Akron’s Tavari Johnson battles for possession of a loose ball against Bowling Green in a Mid-American Conference quarterfinal March 13, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

The 29-point win ties Akron's largest margin of victory in a MAC Tournament game (82-53 win over Central Michigan in 2007). The 16 3s is Akron's most 3-pointers made in a MAC Tournament game.

"Transferring here [from Ohio State ] was huge for me," said Hardman, who made a four-point play to give Akron a 69-46 lead with 11:25 to go. "To see the camaraderie that we have and how guys sacrifice for each other game in and game out, it is beautiful."

Akron made 11-of-21 3-point shots in the first half and 5-of-18 shots from long range in the second half.

"They played that zone that was working for them all year and we are a high 3-point shooting team," Tavari Johnson said. "We knew we were going to have some opportunities to get 3s off in the first half. They switched out of it and went man [to man in the second half]. It really was an adjustment to what they were doing."

Bowling Green's Javonte Campbell and Akron's Shammah Scott go after a second-half loose ball in a Mid-American Conference Tournament quarterfinal, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Cleveland.

Akron Zips are in complete control vs. Bowling Green Falcons

Much of the second half has been garbage time because the Zips have distanced themselves from the Falcons.

With 5:19 left in the second half, Akron called timeout while leading 87-53 and in the midst of a 25-7 run.

Guard Bowen Hardman had a team-high 15 points for the Zips at this juncture, followed by guard Shammah Scott with 14 points. Guards Seth Wilson and Tavari Johnson had 12 points apiece, guard Isaiah Gray had 11 points and guard Sharron Young had 10 points.

Forward Marcus Johnson led Bowling Green with 15 points.

With 3:29 remaining, Akron led 92-57 and took its starters out of the game.

Akron increases lead over Bowling Green in second half of MAC Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal

Tavari Johnson and Sharron Young each make a layup and Akron leads Bowling Green 73-47 with 9:33 remaining in the second half.

Isaiah Gray adds two free throws and Akron is up 75-47 with 9:01 to go. Gray makes a layup and it is 77-47 with 8:25 to go.

Young contributes a 3-pointer and Akron leads 80-49 with 7:56 remaining.

Bowen Hardman extends Akron's lead over Bowling Green with 11:25 remaining in the second half

Bowen Hardman made a 3-pointer and a free throw after being fouled to give Akron a 69-46 lead over Bowling Green with 11:25 remaining in the second half. The four-point play gives Akron its largest lead of the game

Seth Wilson and Shammah Scott have 12 points apiece for Akron. Tavari Johnson is at 10 points and six assists after making the pass to Hardman for the 3.

Marcus Johnson has 15 points for Bowling Green. He is 3-of-4 from 3-point range and 3-of-9 from 2-point range.

Akron extends lead to 55-38 over Bowling Green with 15:20 to go in the second half

Shammah Scott made 1 of 2 free throws and Amani Lyles and Isaiah Gray added layups to give Akron a 55-38 lead with 15:20 remaining in the second half. This is Akron's largest lead of the game.

Scott and Tavari Johnson have 10 points apiece for the Zips.

Akron extends its lead to 57-38 with a Scott layup at 14:44.

Akron leads Bowling Green 50-38 with 15:57 left in the second half

With 15:57 remaining, Akron led Bowling Green 50-38 during the first media timeout of the second half.

Akron opened the second half attacking the paint, making 4 of 8 field goals (0 of 2 3-pointers) coming out of halftime.

The Zips got too cute, though, when guard Tavari Johnson threw the ball off the backboard to set up guard Nate Johnson for a razzle-dazzle dunk. Johnson missed the slam with 16:50 left, and UA coach John Groce was visibly frustrated on the sideline.

Akron basketball leads Bowling Green at halftime of MAC Men's Basketball Tournament

Akron leads Bowling Green 42-30 at halftime after Seth Wilson made a 3-pointer with 1:00 to go and Braelon Green made a layup to conclude the scoring in the first half..

Seth Wilson and Shammah Scott lead Akron with nine points apiece in the first half. Tavari Johnson has six points and four assists. Bowen Hardman is at six points. Nate Johnson has three points, three assists, three rebounds and a block. A look at some other stats:

Akron is 11-of-21 from beyond the 3-point arc. BG is 1-of-11 from beyond the 3-point arc
Akron is 2-of-6 from 2-point range. BG is 10-of-21 from 2-point range.
Bowling Green is 7-of-10 from the free throw line and Akron is 5-of-6.

Akron makes first two-point field goal against Bowling Green with 3:17 remaining in the first half

Akron made its first two-point field goal when James Okonkwo threw down a two-hand slam dunk off of an alley-oop pass from Tavari Johnson with 3:17 remaining in the first half. The Zips lead 32-22.

Akron Zips maintains lead over Bowling Green with 3:31 to go in the first half

Akron leads Bowling Green 31-20 with 3:31 remaining in the first half. The Zips have made one more shot than the Falcons and lead by 11 points.

Akron is 9-of-19 from beyond the 3-point arc. BG is 0-of-9 from beyond the 3-point arc
Akron is 0-of-3 from 2-point range. BG is 8-of-17 from 2-point range.
Both teams have made four free throws with Akron at 4-of-4 and BG at 4-of-6.
Shammah Scott has seven points for Akron. Seth Wilson and Tavari Johnson are at six points each for the Zips.
Javontae Campbell has seven points and three steals for BG.

Akron Zips lead Bowling Green with 7:34 to go in the first half

Akron leads Bowling Green 27-15 with 7:34 to go in the first half. The Zips are 9 of 17 from the field, including 9 of 15 from 3-point range.

Seth Wilson remains 2 of 2 from 3-point range for six points and Tavari Johnson is 2 of 4 from deep for six points.

Isaiah Gray, Nate Johnson, Shammah Scott, Sharron Young and Bowen Hardman have each made one 3 for Akron. The Zips have eight assists on the nine 3s. Tavari Johnson and Nate Johnsom both have three assists. Gray has two assists.

Young's 3 with 8:57 remaining in the first half gave Akron a 24-9 lead. Young has two steals in just under four minutes on the court.

Javontae Campbell has seven points and three steals for BG.

Akron takes first 2-point shot with 11:35 left in the first half

The Zips finally tried something other than a 3-pointer. With 11:35 left in the first half, Akron guard Nate Johnson took UA's first 2-point shot of the game and missed off the side of the backboard.

Hey, maybe 3-pointers are the way to go for the Zips in the quarterfinal round.

Meanwhile, Bowling Green started 4-of-18 shooting from the field (0 for 9 on 3-pointers).

Akron Zips are living and dying by the 3-pointer so far, and they're living well vs. Bowling Green Falcons

Akron led 21-8 with 12:21 left in the first half during a Bowling Green timeout.

Here' a crazy statistic: Through nearly the first eight minutes of the game, Akron had not attempted a 2-point field goal. The Zips have shot nothing but 3-pointers and have made seven of 11 attempts from deep. All seven makes have come with an assist.

Akron guard Seth Wilson leads with the Zips with six points thus far. He's 2-of-2 shooting from the field (both 3s, of course).

Akron leads Bowling Green 12-6 with 15:51 left in the first half

The Zips started the game scorching from 3-point range, making four of their first five from beyond the arc.

As a result, Akron led 12-6 during the first media timeout with 15:51 left in the first half.

Wilson made two of the 3s. Fellow UA guards Tavari Johnson and Isaiah Gray made one apiece.

Here is some pregame information:

Akron basketball starters vs. Bowling Green in MAC Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal

Tavari Johnson, 5-11, jr.
Isaiah Gray, 6-3, sr.
Seth Wilson, 6-2, sr.
James Okonkwo, 6-8, sr.
Nate Johnson, 6-3, R jr.

Bowling Green basketball starters vs. Akron in MAC Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal

Javontae Campbell, 6-2, jr.
DaJion Humphrey, 6-4, sr.
Marcus Johnson, 6-7, sr. (Akron native)
Derrick Butler, 6-2, sr.
Jamai Felt, 6-10, R fr.

Akron basketball's record-setting regular season

The Zips recently 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 prevailed in 14 consecutive games at one point en route to winning the MAC by three games over second-place Miami (23-8, 14-4).

Akron Zips column: UA has shown mental toughness and needs more of it to win MAC basketball tourney

How to watch today's Akron-Bowling Green basketball MAC Tournament on TV, streaming. How to listen on radio

All of the MAC Tournament games Thursday, including Akron's against Bowling Green, can be streamed with an ESPN+ subscription. The Zips game will be broadcast on local radio via WHLO (640-AM).

Today's MAC Tournament schedule

Game 1: No. 1 Akron 96, No. 8 Bowling Green 67
Game 2: No. 4 Toledo 90, No. 5 Ohio 85 (OT)
Game 3: No. 2 Miami vs. No. 7 Eastern Michigan , Time TBA* (ESPN+)
Game 4: No. 3 Kent State vs. No. 6 Western Michigan, Time TBA* (ESPN+)
*30 minutes following the completion of the previous game

Akron Zips basketball news: Nate Johnson, Shammah Scott, John Groce win Mid-American Conference awards

Who will the winner of Akron vs. Bowling Green play?

The winner of the Akron-Bowling Green quarterfinal will advance to face the winner of No. 4 Toledo versus No. 5 Ohio in a semifinal at 5 p.m. Friday. Semifinal games can be streamed via CBS Sports Network.

Who won the regular-season game between the Akron Zips and Bowling Green Falcons?

On Jan. 3, Akron won 71-68 at Bowling Green. The Zips didn't have a lead until 1:10 left in the second half.

Akron is 47-28 in its all-time series with Bowling Green. UA has won the past five meetings. The Zips are also 3-2 in MAC tourney games against the Falcons.

What is Akron's MAC Tournament history?

Akron entered Thursday with a record of 38-21 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 Bowling Green, MAC Tournament recap

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