March 12, 2009

Final Stats | Quotes | Notes

CLEVELAND - The fifth seeded Akron Zips scored 12 three-point baskets, including hitting six of their first eight in the second half to upset fourth seeded Miami 73-63 in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament. The RedHawks finish the regular season at 17-13, while the Zips improve to 20-12 and advance to face Bowling Green in the semifinals on Friday.

Michael Bramos scored a team high 24 points, including four three-point baskets. Carl Richburg also was in double figures, scoring 12 points.

The game could not have started better for Miami as Richburg and Bramos each hit threes as part of a run that staked Miami to an early 11-1 lead. An 11-6 run by the Zips pulled Akron to within five at 17-12, but Kramer Soderberg hit a three-pointer of his own to push the Miami lead to eight with 10:22 remaining.

The RedHawks held Akron to only three points over a six and a half minute period to extend their lead to as large as 12 points at 27-15, but the Zips' three-point shooting heated up, and Akron scored 16 points over the last 4:04 to go into the locker room trailing only 32-31.

Akron took its first lead of the game early in the second half with an 8-3 run. Miami retied the game at 39 off a tip-in from Nick Winbush and two free throws from Bramos. With the score tied at 41, the Zips rolled off six straight points and forced a Miami timeout down 47-41 with 12:04 remaining in the game.

The three-pointers continued to fall as Akron grabbed its largest lead at 63-50 with 5:33 remaining off a trey from Nate Linehart. A three-pointer from Bramos and a basket from Antonio Ballard helped the RedHawks pull as close as 64-57, but the Zips hit their free throws down the stretch to come away with the

Miami shot 39.7 percent for the game (21-for-48), compared to Akron who hit 38.6 percent (23-for-60). The Zips outrebounded the RedHawks 40-28. McNees led Akron with 17 points.