Cheese, Williams lift Akron over Eastern Michigan 59-58
AKRON, Ohio -- Tyler Cheese hit three 3-pointers and scored 21 points, Xeyrius Williams hit a go-ahead 3 with 12 seconds left in the game and Akron held off Eastern Michigan 59-58 on Saturday.
Eastern Michigan, which led by three points at halftime, took a 58-54 lead with 38 seconds left to play when Darion Spottsville made 1 of 2 free throws. Loren Cristian Jackson answered with a layup 13 seconds later to pull Akron (17-6, 7-3 Mid-American Conference) within two points. After Spottsville missed two foul shots, Jackson found Williams open for the game-winner.
Williams finished with 10 points and eight rebounds for the Zips. Akron shot just 35% from the floor and 21% from 3-point range (6 of 29). The Zips sank 17 of 21 free throws.
Ty Groce topped the Eagles (12-11, 2-8) with 15 points. Boubacar Toure added 14 points and 10 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. Spottsville finished with 13 points and six rebounds.
Eastern Michigan shot 50% overall but took 14 fewer shots than the Zips. The Eagles hit just 2 of 11 from distance and made only 18 of 38 foul shots (47%).
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Game Information
- Referees:
- David Cronin
- Frank Spencer
- Keith Lewis
2024-25 Mid-American Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 9-0 | - | 16-5 |
| Miami (OH) | 8-1 | 1 | 16-5 |
| Toledo | 7-2 | 2 | 13-8 |
| Ohio | 5-4 | 4 | 11-10 |
| Kent State | 4-5 | 5 | 13-8 |
| Ball State | 4-5 | 5 | 10-11 |
| Central Michigan | 4-5 | 5 | 10-11 |
| Eastern Michigan | 4-5 | 5 | 10-11 |
| Western Michigan | 4-5 | 5 | 7-14 |
| Bowling Green | 2-7 | 7 | 7-14 |
| Buffalo | 2-7 | 7 | 7-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 1-8 | 8 | 5-16 |
Men's College Basketball News