MAC Sports Blog by VanDelay Sports

A few halftime stats to note from #6 Kent State vs #11 NIU:

• Al Fisher is shooting 8-13 from the field with 20 points
• NIU has two in double figures with 11 from Anderson and 10 from DiNunno
• Both teams are 15-30 from the field (50%) with NIU 5-8 from 3-point range and Kent 6-9 from deep
• Kent State is 1-6 at the FT line

We have 4 minutes until the 2nd half and we’re tied at 37-37. We’ll be back with more from the 2009 MAC Tournament, so keep checkin back for updates!

Game #2 of the day is set to begin pitting #6 Kent State vs #11 Northern Illinois. For Geno Ford’s Kent State squad the starters are:

• #21 Anthony Simpson, F, Jr
• #34 Julian Sullinger, F, Sr
• #22 Mike McKee, G, Jr
• #5 Al Fisher, G, Sr
• #11 Jordan Mincy, G, Sr

For Ricardo Patton’s NIU squad the starters for this game will be:

• #2 Najul Ervin, F, Jr
• #11 Mike DiNunno, G, Fr
• #12 Sean Smith, F, Sr
• #32 Darion Anderson, G, So
• #55 Michael Fakuade, C, Fr

NIU went 5-11 in MAC play and 10-19 overall and is #330 in the RPI. Kent State went 10-6 in MAC play and 18-13 overall and is #134 in today’s RPI rankings per CollegeRPI.com.

With two defensive touchdowns in the 3rd quarter, the Buffalo Bulls took the lead over Ball State in the MAC Championship Game 28-17, and a 4th-down fumble recovery for the Bulls has Buffalo poised to win the MAC Championship Game with just under 9 minutes remaining in the game. Nate Davis has had a terrible day holding onto the ball for the Cardinals including a fumble near the goal line which turned into a 92-yard TD return by Mike Newton, a fumbled shotgun snap which was returned by Sherrod Lott of UB for a 74-yard TD and finally a fumble on 4th & 1 as Davis’ second effort cost him the possession thanks to a 3rd fumble.

Buffalo is now driving, 1st and 10 with 7:46 remaining with the ball at the Ball State 17 yard line.