Ohio overtakes George Mason; Akron falls

2/24/2008

ATHENS, Ohio - Bubba Walther scored 21 points and Ohio closed the game with a 22-9 run to come back to beat George Mason 69-57 yesterday.

The Patriots (19-9) used a 16-0 run in the first half to lead 32-19 at the break. Ohio (18-9) took the lead for good at 49-48 on Walther's jumper with 5:31 remaining - and never trailed again as the Bobcats scored 14 of the next 17 points.

Leon Williams had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Bert Whittington 12 points and Jerome Tillman 10 for the Bobcats, who won their 20th consecutive non-conference game at home.

Virginia Commonwealth 57,

Akron 52

AKRON - Jamal Shuler scored 19 points to lead Virginia Commonwealth past Akron.

Cedrick Middleton led Akron with 17 points. Nick Dials and Jeremiah Wood each scored 14.

Buffalo 95,

Youngstown State 82

AMHERST, N.Y. - Andy Robinson scored 26 points to lead Buffalo.

Byron Mulkey had 18 points and Calvin Betts added 16 for the Bulls (9-17), who snapped a three-game losing streak.

Western Michigan 74,

Wisconsin-Green Bay 67

GREEN BAY, Wis. - David Kool scored 19 points and Joe Reitz added 16 points and eight rebounds to lead Western Michigan.

Shawntes Gary added 13 points for the Broncos.

EASTERN Michigan 86,

SE Missouri St. 82

YPSILANTI, Mich. - Jarred Axon scored a career-high 29 points and Carlos Medlock added 24, including 19 in the second half, for Eastern Michigan. Justin Dobbins also had 10 points for the Eagles (11-15).

Missouri State 90,

Central Michigan 76

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Dale Lamberth scored 25 points and Deven Mitchell added 23 to lead Missouri State. Missouri State never trailed in the game.

Valparaiso 99,

Miami 94

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Forward Shawn Huff scored 32 points and Valparaiso outscored Miami 12-7 in the second overtime.

Valpo's Urule Igbavboa had 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Kenny Hayes led Miami (13-13) with 30 points, Michael Bramos 23, and Tim Pollitz 22.

E. Kentucky 51, Ball St. 48.

RICHMOND, Ky. - Mike Rose hit a jump shot with 16.5 seconds left to put Eastern Kentucky up for good before Adam Leonard sank two free throws with 2.1 seconds.

OWENS 84, CLARK STATE 61

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Owens CC men defeated Clark State 84-61 in its OCCAC finale. With the win Owens picked up its 20th victory against nine losses, giving the Express 22 straight seasons with at least 20 wins. The victory also means that Owens finishes second in the conference at 10-4.

T.R. Ellis and David Davis each

scored 16 points to lead Owens. DeAndre Hall added nine points and 10 rebounds.

WOMEN

OWENS 98, CLARK STATE 46

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Owens' women were dominant in their final regular season game, scoring their highest point total of the season.

Shelli Liverpool led the Express with 20 points. Unique Lane also added 16, Jeanne Bockey 12 and Amanda White 10.

With the victory Owens finishes tied with Columbus State for third in the OCCAC at 10-4, 21-9 overall.