SB Nation Cleveland - Akron Vs. Western Michigan Final Score: Zips Squeak Past Broncos In OThttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2012-02-09T10:33:15-06:00http://cleveland.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25491962012-02-09T10:33:15-06:002012-02-09T10:33:15-06:00Akron Vs. Western Michigan Final Score: Zips Squeak Past Broncos In OT
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S1PZRfbbcqX-SubjcYEgfnVn28c=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828107/large_cleveland.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Akron scored an overtime victory Wednesday against Western Michigan, moving the Zips to 17-7 overall and 9-1 in the Mid-American Conference.</p>
<p>The win kept Akron one game ahead of Buffalo in the <span class="caps">MAC</span> East, but it didn’t come easy.</p>
<p>Akron trailed 58-53 before going on late a 6-0, capped by a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100459/zeke-marshall">Zeke Marshall</a> that gave the Zips a 59-58 lead.</p>
<p>Trailing by one with six seconds left, Western Michigan’s <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53181/flenard-whitfield">Flenard Whitfield</a> had two free throws with a chance to take the lead. He hit just one of two, however, sending the game into overtime.</p>
<p>The Zips took a two-point lead late in OT on a pair of Marshall free throws with 37 seconds left. WMU’s <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53177/mike-douglas">Mike Douglas</a> missed a potential game-tying jumper, and Akron tacked on a free throw for the three-point margin.</p>
<p>It wasn’t a pretty game, as each team struggled mightily from the floor. Akron hit just 24 of 65 shots (36.9 percent), Western Michigan just 20-57 (35.1).</p>
<p>Next up for Akron is a pair of home games against <span class="caps">MAC</span> cellar-dwellers. First is a Saturday night contest with Northern Illinois, which is last place in the <span class="caps">MAC</span> West at 3-19 overall and 2-8 in conference. After that it’s a Wednesday matchup with Miami (Ohio), which is last place in the East with a 3-7 conference mark.</p>
<p>Akron squares off with second-place Buffalo on Feb. 29.</p>
<p>More college hoops coverage at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball" target="new">SBNation.com/<span class="caps">NCAA</span>-Basketball</a>.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/2/9/2787087/akron-zips-western-michigan-broncosDavid Vranicar2012-02-08T08:23:17-06:002012-02-08T08:23:17-06:00Akron Vs. Western Michigan: Zips Try To Continue Dominance Against MAC West
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AWLPjTg-Hhm-HKZxWBkCm45VZ40=/0x0:600x400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/2208743/GYI0063987429.jpg" />
<figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Akron Zips will try to extend their conference record to 9-1 as they face the Western Michigan Broncos Wednesday night.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/akron-zips">Akron Zips</a> destroyed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/eastern-michigan-eagles">Eastern Michigan Eagles</a> in their last game, 77-47. Back on January 28th they took apart the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/central-michigan-chippewas">Central Michigan Chippewas</a> 74-64. The Zips only have one side of Michigan left to go and they'll get a chance to take them apart as well as they face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/western-michigan-broncos">Western Michigan Broncos</a> on Wednesday evening.</p>
<p>Akron have continued to absolutely dominate the entire MAC with their 8-1 record giving them an outright lead over anyone in the East or West. Their only loss in conference play was at the hands of fellow MAC East team the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/buffalo-bulls">Buffalo Bulls</a>, and against the MAC West they have absolutely demolished every foe that has been thrown at them. Against 10-13 (4-5) Western Michigan they should have no problem despite the game being on the road.</p>
<p>The Broncos are currently on a two game losing streak after dropping games to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/bowling-green-falcons">Bowling Green Falcons</a> and Kent State Golden Flashes.</p>
<p>The game will be at University Arena in Read Fieldhouse at 7 PM ET.</p>
<p><i>For more on Akron, Western Michigan and the entire MAC, check out<a href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/"> Hustle Belt</a>.</i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2012/2/8/2784417/akron-vs-western-michigan-zips-try-to-continue-dominance-against-macChris White