No. 3 Akron Zips beat No. 6 Buffalo, set up rematch with Kent State in MAC semifinal

Ryan Lewis, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read

The Akron Zips men's basketball team has a strong recent history in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, but it had never reached 100 points in a single game in tournament play — until Thursday night.

The Zips, led by a 3-point barrage from guard Xavier Castaneda, exploded for a 101-77 win at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to advance to Friday night's second semifinal, where No. 2 seed and arch rival Kent State is waiting. The Zips and Golden Flashes split the season series leading into the tournament.

Akron's Xavier Castaneda puts up a shot as Buffalo's LaQuill Hardnett defends in a MAC quarterfinal Thursday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Akron's Xavier Castaneda puts up a shot as Buffalo's LaQuill Hardnett defends in a MAC quarterfinal Thursday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

Castaneda entered the game averaging 3.5 3-pointers per game, the fifth best rate in the country. He nearly doubled down on that, hitting six 3s en route to a game-high 31 points, to go along with six rebounds and four assists.

Forward Enrique Freeman finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Forward Sammy Hunter and guard Trendon Hankerson contributed 13 points each in the win.

Akron’s Garvin Clarke drives past Buffalo’s LaQuill Hardnett for a first-half basket in a MAC quarterfinal Thursday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Akron’s Garvin Clarke drives past Buffalo’s LaQuill Hardnett for a first-half basket in a MAC quarterfinal Thursday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

"Obviously I thought we did a lot of good things tonight," Zips coach John Groce told reporters in Cleveland. "I thought it was a reflection of our preparation. These guys are just such a special group. We took two days off after Friday's game [against Kent State] and they came back and you could just look in their eyes and tell their care factor was high."

And, quickly, the attention turned to a rematch with the rival Golden Flashes, with a trip to the MAC championship game on the line.

Akron coach John Groce talks with Garvin Clarke on the bench during the Zips' game against Buffalo in a MAC quarterfinal Thursday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Akron coach John Groce talks with Garvin Clarke on the bench during the Zips' game against Buffalo in a MAC quarterfinal Thursday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

Groce told the ESPN Plus broadcast that they'd have about five minutes to celebrate the victory before preparing for KSU.

For the Zips players, it's another shot at Kent State after the Golden Flashes won the regular season finale in overtime a week ago.

"Yeah, I think especially with this rivalry, it's very intense and I think it's a great opportunity for us to play in," Freeman said. "I'm excited going into this game. I'm not thinking about previous games. I'm pumped, so I know every other guy is too, so that's where my mind is and our mind is."

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips score: Zips beat Buffalo, rematch v. Kent in MAC semifinal