CLEVELAND — In a commanding performance during the Mid-American Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday, top-seeded Akron secured a robust 96-67 victory over eighth-seeded Bowling Green, largely thanks to Bowen Hardman’s impressive contribution off the bench. Hardman delivered 17 points, making significant plays for the Zips (26-6) with his accurate shooting. He hit 6 of 9 shots from the field, including 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Seth Wilson was another standout for Akron, contributing 15 points and shooting 5 of 7 from 3-point territory. Shammah Scott added to the effort with 14 points, achieving his tally by hitting 4 of 10 shots from the field and showing proficiency at the free-throw line with 5 of 6 successful attempts.
Despite the Falcons’ (14-18) challenges, Marcus Johnson put up a valiant fight for Bowling Green, leading all Falcons scorers with 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Jamai Felt supported the cause by adding 12 points and securing six rebounds, while Javontae Campbell chipped in with 10 points, alongside four assists and steals.
Akron headed to the locker room at halftime with a solid 42-30 lead, bolstered by Wilson’s nine first-half points. The Zips further solidified their lead in the second half with a decisive 16-2 run, extending their advantage to as much as 36 points. Hardman, with his impressive performance, led Akron with 11 points in the second half.
This victory marks an impactful step forward in the tournament for Akron, setting the stage for their upcoming challenges.
