As expected, the men’s basketball teams from the University of Akron and Kent State University generated substantial physical play and plenty of drama in the regular-season finale for both teams at Rhodes Arena on Friday night.
In a game that didn’t disappoint, UA won 74-60 to tie the season series and cap their Mid-American Conference regular-season championship.
With their ticket already punched to Cleveland next Thursday afternoon in the MAC Tournament, the Zips (24-7, 13-5 MAC) didn’t have much to gain except pride, revenge and momentum heading into Cleveland. For Kent State (19-12, 10-8 MAC), the stakes were higher as they played for a potential bye.
The Zips came into the game shooting otherworldly from behind the 3-point arc in the past two games, connecting on 39-of-84 (46 percent), but their stroke evaded them much of the night, forcing coach Keith Dambrot to adjust.
He used a lineup that featured sophomore guard Jimond Ivey, a slasher. His presence, along with center Isaiah “Big Dog” Johnson, ensured UA could score at the rim.
Johnson responded with 12 points, tying point guard Noah Robotham for the team lead. Johnson grabbed 11 rebounds to notch a double-double for the night. Ivey added nine points.
It took a series of Kent State turnovers and a huge technical foul on the Golden Flashes’ Jimmy Hall at 8:59 to give UA the lift it needed. On a play at the Flashes’ basket, it appeared a UA player fouled Hall. It appeared as though Hall complained to the official.
“I just try to play as hard as I can,” Hall said of the technical. “Sometimes I lose my head and get frustrated.”
Kent State coach Rob Senderoff said his forward needed to keep his composure. In this case, the call did its damage.
Hall’s technical contributed to a 12-2 run that tilted the game in the Zips’ favor. A 3-pointer by Robotham gave the Zips a 63-51 lead.
“I think in most games, it’s a game of spurts,” said UA forward Jake Kretzer, who had seven points and 10 rebounds. “It’s who can weather the storm best.”
The Zips racked up 10 steals, forced 15 turnovers and scored 12 points on them.
The other difference was in second-chance points. Although KSU had 15 offensive rebounds to 14 for UA, the Zips turned them into 21 second-chance points to 12 for the Flashes.
“Too many turnovers, some forced to a good team,” Senderoff said.
The Zips missed a couple of opportunities to pull away from the Flashes in the first half.
The Flashes missed their first six shots — all at the basket and fell behind early 9-2, giving UA the perfect chance to pour in some points.
But the Flashes came back and had chances to take the lead after coming within a point at 18-17 with 6:51 to go in the first half.
Instead, the Zips found another offensive spurt. UA ran the score to 26-18 before being outscored 12-7 the rest of the way and taking a 33-30 halftime lead.
Defense allowed the Zips to take control in the second half, giving them six days before they have to play again in Cleveland with a chance to finish off a special season.
“I want to get to that tournament championship in Cleveland and win a couple of games in the NCAA Tournament,” Kretzer said.
The top-seeded Zips will play the winner of Monday’s Eastern Michigan-Toledo game at noon Thursday at Quicken Loans Arena.
Kent State finished with the fifth seed and will open the tournament at home against Bowling Green on Monday night.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Zips blog at www.ohio.com/zips. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GeorgeThomasABJ.