The Mid-American contest was heavily contested all season, so it’s only fitting that the tournament championship game was just as tight. In the end, Akron upset Kent State, 66-65, in overtime to punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
2011 NCAA Tournament Field: Akron Outlasts Kent State In MAC Tournament Final
Brett McKnight, who air balled a free throw in regulation, nailed two clutch free throws with 13 seconds to go in overtime to seal the win. Kent State had two chances to win, but Rodriquez Sherman had his shot blocked, and Randal Holt missed a three-pointer after an offensive rebound. McKnight led the Zips with 15 points off the bench, while Holt led Kent State with 14.
The Zips entered the MAC Tournament as the No. 6 seed, but upset several teams on their way to the conference crown. They topped Western Michigan in the semifinals before defeating Kent State in this one. Kent State, meanwhile, was the regular-season champion, so they can at least console themselves with an NIT berth.
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