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MAC Tourney Semifinals Recap - Toledo vs. Akron

Live from press row in Quicken Loans Arena at the MAC Tournament in Cleveland, VanDelay Sports brings you our game recaps.

#7 Toledo 77, #3 Akron 69

For our recap of the games we're taking a look at the key statistics that led to the final outcome for each game.

So Toledo shocked the world. Well, maybe not shocked... and maybe not the world... but they certainly surprised some people around the Mid-American Conference with their 77-69 upset victory over Akron in their Saturday Night semi-final.

It looked like Akron was going to control this game from start to finish. Instead, they controlled from start, to just about the 15-minute mark in the 2nd half, when the Zips held a 13 point lead over the Rockets. After scoring 40 points in the first-half, the Zips could only muster 29 in the second-half. From the 15-minute point in the second-half on, Toledo went on a tear, and the score took a 21 point swing.

So how'd they do it? Toledo's quick, pressure defense played well, but the turnover differential (UT +1) wasn't what you'd expect in a Toledo win. While what Toledo's defense did may not have shown up in the stat sheet, it was impressive to see the way Kashif Payne and Justin Ingram bothered Akron's backcourt, especially Nick Dials, and really made them work. In the second-half the Zips struggled to find open looks from the field, and more importantly, Akron's bread and butter, from 3-point range. Some key stats from this one.

Fast Break Points: UT/UA - 15/2
Justin Ingram UT - 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 TO, 37 minutes
Nick Dials UA - 1-6 shooting, 0-5 3-pt shooting, 2 points, 3 assists, 3 TOs
Akron FT shooting down the stretch: 2 of 6, including 4 straight misses

Final Thoughts

The Rockets improved their winning streak to 7 straight, with 10 straight conference wins. Toledo comes into Saturday's Championship game on quite a hot streak with considerable momentum.

It's a disappointing end of the Tournament for Akron, who had fans hoping for a Northeastern Ohio rivalry Championship game between Akron and Kent State. At least Akron can take heart in the fact that unlike last season when they were snubbed, they should easily gain an NIT bid this season, with their solid record, RPI, and fan base that came out in droves to support the team in Cleveland.

By Dan Whitmyer, VanDelaySports.com Head Basketball Writer

published 03.10.06

MAC Tourney Semifinal Recap: #1 Kent vs. #5 Ohio

MAC Tourney Quarterfinal Recap: #5 Ohio 73, #4 Miami 58

MAC Tourney Quarterfinal Recap: #1 Kent 76, #8 Buffalo 67

MAC Tourney Quarterfinal Recap: #3 Akron 72, #6 WMU 57

MAC Tourney Quarterfinal Recap: #7 Toledo 78, #2 NIU 77