2009 MAC Tournament - Akron vs Bowling Green
Zippy says Akron is #1 as the Akron cheerleaders prepare before their game against Bowling Green.
Final - Linhart hits two more FTs and that’s it as BG misses a few shots and Akron runs it out. 63-55 Akron wins. Chris McKnight and Darryl Roberts both of whom were around for the Doug Penno heartbreaker game two years ago (unless I’m mistaken) both look very pleased. Should be a good one tomorrow between two teams who have never (unless I’m mistaken) been to the NCAAs.
0:23 - Linhart hits both, Miller gives it up and BG misses a shot, and the Zips are just about ready to stick a fork in this one. Apparently one of those FTs was Linhart’s 1,000th point.
0:33 - B McKnight hits both FTs, Miller follows with a crazy driving layup that goes, Linhart to the line. Zips 59-55
0:43 - C McKnight splits a pair at the line and Miller comes back with a 3 followed by an Orr timeout to set up the D. 57-53 Zips. The parade to the FT line won’t do it here. BG has to create a turnover.
1:06 - BG misses a desperation 3, Akron controls the rebound, but has issues with the trap. Akron coaches quickly ask for a timeout… They’re up with the ball 56-50. BG is going to need some steals here…
1:27 - Cvetinovic going to the line… Zips up 4.
2:02 - THE BANK IS OPEN! Miller with a 3. 53-50 McNees goes to the line.
2:18 - Miller misses on a drive, somehow comes up with a board after it’s smacked around and scores. Linhart airballs a floater, comes up with the rebound on the other end but gets blasted by his own teammate, causing him to trip and travel. BG ball, they’re down 53-47.
3:30 - McNees with a 3, Linhart with a floater! Akron up 53-45, BG having problems scoring again… They’re pulling away…
5:15 - Miller misses the front-end of a 1-1. I’m speechless. And then he makes a sweet reverse layup. 47-45 Zips lead.
5:34 - McKnight with a 3 and Roberts with a 12 footer the Zips are up 4 and Orr wants a time out. Alright, I’m done with puke reporting for the next 5 minutes, time to watch the end of this… Should be a good one.
7:30 - And some drunk guy courtside just blew chow on the floor near the tunnel. That’s a technical foul… (it’s not really a T)
7:57 - Brett McKnight gets fouled as he tries to lay one in, and it almost falls, but pops back out. Regardless he’ll be going to the line… Ha, Syracuse is going into overtime. I have my fingers crossed that this one goes 6 OTs too.
8:07 - Suddenly BG can’t miss as Clements hits one from NBA range as the shot clock winds down. Dambrot needs a timeout. BG fans give their team a standing O. They’re up 43-40.
8:56 - Akron fans sense that their team is in trouble and start to get loud… Very cool. Offensive foul on Akron kills their mojo.
9:07 - Someone besides Miller (Brian Moten) hits a 3! Then Scott Thomas gets fouled on the way to the hoop, and it falls. Chance to tie at 40 with the FT… Tied.
10:12 - If I’m BG I think about kicking up the defensive pressure. With Hitchens out for this one I’m not sure if McNees and Roberts could handle the pressure.
11:22 - Nate Miller is on fire. He’s hitting 3’s, he’s tossing in 10 footers as he falls to the floor. He has 15 points (13 this half) and he’s the only reason BG is still in this as Akron leads 38-32.
14:15 - McNees hits a no, no, no, YES! 3. Miller answers it. 33-27 Akron leads.
15:28 - Brett McKnight should be able to blast by Otis Polk off the dribble. He fails to recognize the mismatch and badly misses a jumper. Akron’s up 30-24. BG still having trouble hitting shots, but they’re showing signs of life.
18:30 - Nate Miller with 5 quick points and BG is only down 6, 28-22. The Zips with a quick timeout and the assistants are NOT happy with their player’s efforts based on some fiery body language.
20:00 - Just noticed Chris McKnight with 10 boards already, that’s huge.
Halftime - 28-17 Akron leads at the half. That resounding thud you hear is the shooting of the Bowling Green Falcons. They’re 5-25 from the field and really haven’t built any momentum at all in the first half. Of course if you’re Akron right now you’re probably a little disappointed that you’re only up 11 with the way that BG has looked out there.
0:10 - 28-17 Akron leads, as Dambrot calls a TO to talk about the final shot.
3:09 - Awful foul on Cventinovic who slides under Jakubowski 30 feet from the hoop for a block. Now BG who’s shooting 20% from the floor gets FTs. 21-15
3:47 - Akron leads 19-13 and they’ll have the ball when we come back. BG is shooting 20%. They’re probably lucky that they’re only down 6. For what it’s worth Akron definitely wins the battle of the cheerleaders, dance teams, and bands. No contest on all 3.
7:51 - 16-11 Zips. Akron starting to heat up from the floor, they’re shooting about 41%. BG is shooting 21%. Nate Miller has been invisible so far scoring 2 points on 1-4 shooting and a missed FT.
8:04 - After blowing an open layup 2 minutes ago Polk gets fouled and hits one. Akron 14-11 after Polk misses the freebie.
10:28 - Akron up 10-9. BG not shooting well from distance, they’re 0-5.
11:31 - Akron leads 10-6. Update on our pregame keys… Akron 2-6 from 3 and Nate Miller has done little with just 2 points so far… Really BG has been fouled shooting a 3 twice already?
13:51 - Remember how cold Akron came out last night, and they trailed Miami for most of the first half? Well they’re just as cold tonight, but they’re still winning 7-5.
15:21 - So everyone’s Mom has told them if they don’t have anything nice to say not to say anything at all, right? Well please notice how I’m not saying anything about the BG Dance Team.
15:22 - BG getting into their offense a little better now and we’ll go to the timeout with Akron up 7-4. Miller has 1 coming at the line when we get back. BG 2-8 shooting and Akron 3-7 shooting so far. Combined both teams are 1-6 from 3 so far.
16:45 - Tons of missed shots so far and Akron’s up 4-0. Not wanting to see this offensive effort continue, Orr asks for a TO.
20:00 - Pretty decent contingents from both crowds here tonight. Still, I don’t think you’ll be seeing any attendance records coming down this year.
Pregame - Gotta expect that this is going to be a close, good game. Nate Miller played like a beast against OU last night, can he come up with a similar performance tonight? Akron shot 50% on 24 3 pointers. Can they put together another shooting performance like that? We’ll see…