CLEVELAND – Nate Johnson delivered an outstanding performance with a personal best of 31 points to propel Akron to a 100-90 victory over Toledo in the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals on Friday. Johnson played a crucial role for the Zips, who now hold a record of 27-6, by adding five rebounds and six assists in the high-stakes match.
Isaiah Gray showcased his shooting prowess by hitting 6 out of 7 shots from the field, contributing 15 points to Akron’s win. Tavari Johnson also made a significant impact, scoring 15 points after shooting 5 of 13 from the field, including one successful three-pointer, and converting all four of his free throw attempts.
On the opposite side, the Rockets, whose season now stands at 18-15, were led by Seth Hubbard, who scored a commendable 28 points. Sam Lewis offered substantial support with 23 points, and Javan Simmons delivered a solid performance with 18 points and seven rebounds.
Akron seized the lead just 19 seconds into the first half and maintained their advantage throughout the game. Johnson was instrumental in securing their early lead by netting 17 points in the first half, helping Akron to establish a 52-41 lead by halftime. He continued his stellar play by adding 14 points in the second half to maintain their winning margin.
