Akron rallies to 63-59 victory against Niagara

Associated Press

LEWISTON, N.Y. — Freshman Anthony Hitchens scored a career-high 15 points, 12 in the second half, as Akron rallied to defeat Niagara 63-59 on Wednesday night.

Akron (5-2) trailed by nine points at 57-48 with less than six minutes remaining in the second half, but closed the game with a 15-2 run.

With Akron leading 61-59, Mike Bardo knocked away an inbounds pass to teammate Darryl Roberts, forcing a Niagara turnover with three seconds left. Roberts then hit a pair of free throws to seal the victory.

Niagara (5-2) had its four-game winning streak snapped. The team hadn’t lost a home game since Feb. 8.

Nate Linhart scored 14 points for Akron. Roberts finished with 11.

Tyrone Lewis paced Niagara with 21 points. Demetrius Williams had 17.

Toledo 57, Massachusetts 56

TOLEDO — Justin Anyijong hit a tip-in at the buzzer to lift Toledo.

In a matchup that saw 10 lead changes, the Minutemen (1-5) had a 56-55 advantage with 16 seconds left after Tony Gaffney hit two free throws. Gaffney then forced out a drive by Tyrone Kent, but Anyijong tipped in the rebound at the last second to secure the win for the Rockets (2-5).

Jonathan Amos and Kent had 13 points apiece for Toledo. Anthony Byrd added 11.

Chris Lowe led Massachusetts with 15 points. Ricky Harris scored 13 and Gaffney added 11. Tyrell Lynch had a game-high nine rebounds.

The game marked the grand re-opening of Savage Arena, formerly Savage Hall. A pre-game ceremony dedicated the Bob Nichols Court in honor of the men’s basketball coach from 1965-1987 who holds the Mid-American Conference record for victories with 376.

Ohio 75, Tulsa 63

ATHENS, Ohio — Jerome Tillman scored 21 points and Ohio turned things around in the second half.

Justin Orr added 18 for Ohio (3-1). Ben Uzoh and Ray Reece had 14 apiece for Tulsa (4-3).

Tulsa led 30-29 at halftime and spurted to a 46-36 lead when Steven Idlet hit a pair of free throws with 13:12 to play.

But the Bobcats put together a 20-2 run during the next 6 minutes that included three 3-pointers by Orr, three baskets by Michael Allen and a lay up and free throw by Tillman.

Miami (Ohio) 68, Temple 52

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Bramos scored 26 points and Kenny Hayes added 17 to lead Miami (Ohio).

Tyler Dierkers had 10 for the Red Hawks (3-3).

Penn State 85, Georgia Tech 83

ATLANTA — Stanley Pringle scored 22 points, Danny Morrissey came up big from 3-point range and Penn State survived woeful free-throw shooting down the stretch in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday night.

Ill.-Chicago 74, Vanderbilt 55

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Josh Mayo made eight 3-pointers and scored 30 points as Illinois-Chicago defeated Vanderbilt.