Friday, March 14
Cleveland, Ohio
5:00 p.m.
University of Toledo
vs
Akron
Sophomore Sam Lewis scored eight of his 21 points in overtime in Toledo's 90-85 (OT) win over Ohio.
Photo by: Jacob Tracy
Toledo to Meet Top Seed Akron in MAC Semifinals Tonight
3/14/2025 10:58:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Winner of Rockets-Zips matchup to face Miami-Kent winner on Saturday
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Toledo men's basketball team (18-14) will make its fourth semifinal appearance in the last five seasons when it takes on No. 1 seed Akron (26-6) tonight in the 2025 Mid-American Conference Tournament. The contest will be televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network and tip off in Cleveland's Rocket Arena at 5:00 p.m.
The Rockets lost both of their games this season to Akron, an 85-78 road loss on Jan. 14 and a 96-87 home defeat on March 4. Toledo out-scored the Zips, 42-30, in the first half in Rhodes Arena and by a 63-51 margin in the second half in Savage Arena.
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Friday, March 14, 2025
Tip-Off: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Arena: Rocket Arena (19,432)
Televison: CBS Sports Network. Chris Lewis will provide play-by-play with Tre Demps serving as analyst.
Radio: Rocket Radio Network. WSPD (1370 AM) in Toledo. Mark Beier will provide play-by-play for broadcast with Jay Lehman serving as analyst.
LAST TIME OUT
Sam Lewis scored eight points in overtime, including a huge three-point play with 43 seconds left, to lift Toledo to a 90-85 victory over No. 5 seed Ohio on Thursday. Lewis broke an 83-83 tie with a short lean-in jumper and added a free throw to put the Rockets up 86-83. After Ohio made a two-pointer to cut the lead to one, Seth Hubbard made four free throws to seal the win.
Isaiah Adams led UT with a season-high 26 points, two shy of his career high, before fouling out in regulation. Lewis added 21 points and a career-high four blocked shots. Sonny Wilson registered his first career double-double with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. Javan Simmons tallied 10 points and 11 boards for his fourth double-double of the season.
ROCKET LEADERS
Sam Lewis and Sonny Wilson are leading Toledo with 16.0 and 15.3 ppg, respectively. Javan Simmons is averaging 12.3 ppg, a team-high 6.8 rpg and a career-best 55.6 FG%.
ABOUT AKRON
Akron leads the MAC in scoring offense (84.4 ppg), scoring margin (+10.3), assists (18.4), and ranks fifth nationally with 10.9 three-point field goals made per game. Junior Nate Johnson is leading a balanced Zips' attack with 13.2 ppg, while junior Tavari Johnson is averaging 12.9 ppg and a team-high 4.1 apg.
TOLEDO VS. AKRON
• Sam Lewis and Javan Simmons averaged 18.5 ppg vs. Akron. Lewis shot 50.0% (6-of-12) from three-point range and Simmons was 52.4% from the field and 14-of-15 at the line.
• Isaiah Adams averaged 15.5 ppg, while Sonny Wilson averaged 12.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg.
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POST TOUCHES
• Sophomore Sam Lewis' 21 points vs. Ohio was his third straight 20-point outing and his 10th of the season. He also tied a school MAC Tournament record with a career-high four blocked shots and registered a season-high three steals.
• Sophomore Sonny Wilson's 13 rebounds in the MAC Quarterfinals were the most by a Rocket this season. He is leading the MAC with a 1.91 assist/turnover ratio and ranks eighth in the MAC with 15.3 ppg. Wilson also leads MAC guards and ranks ninth overall in the MAC with a 51.6 FG%.
• Sophomore Javan Simmons is averaging 18.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg with a 73.5 FG% (25-of-34) and a 92.3 FT% (24-of-26) in his last FOUR games. He has hit 33 of his last 36 FTs.
• Fifth-year senior Isaiah Adams' 26 points vs. Ohio in the MAC Quarterfinals were the most scored by a Rocket this season.
PROTECTING THE BASKETBALL
• Toledo ranks among the national leaders in fewest turnovers per game, averaging a MAC-best 9.5 miscues per game.
• UT is tied for 12th nationally, with North Alabama ranking first at 8.7.
• UT committed a season-low three miscues vs. James Madison (Feb. 8) as well as five or less turnovers in four other games.
UP NEXT
The Rockets will face either No. 2 Miami or No. 3 Kent State in the MAC Championship Game on Saturday, March 15 at 7:40 p.m. with a win over Akron.
The Rockets lost both of their games this season to Akron, an 85-78 road loss on Jan. 14 and a 96-87 home defeat on March 4. Toledo out-scored the Zips, 42-30, in the first half in Rhodes Arena and by a 63-51 margin in the second half in Savage Arena.
GAME INFORMATION
Date: Friday, March 14, 2025
Tip-Off: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Arena: Rocket Arena (19,432)
Televison: CBS Sports Network. Chris Lewis will provide play-by-play with Tre Demps serving as analyst.
Radio: Rocket Radio Network. WSPD (1370 AM) in Toledo. Mark Beier will provide play-by-play for broadcast with Jay Lehman serving as analyst.
LAST TIME OUT
Sam Lewis scored eight points in overtime, including a huge three-point play with 43 seconds left, to lift Toledo to a 90-85 victory over No. 5 seed Ohio on Thursday. Lewis broke an 83-83 tie with a short lean-in jumper and added a free throw to put the Rockets up 86-83. After Ohio made a two-pointer to cut the lead to one, Seth Hubbard made four free throws to seal the win.
Isaiah Adams led UT with a season-high 26 points, two shy of his career high, before fouling out in regulation. Lewis added 21 points and a career-high four blocked shots. Sonny Wilson registered his first career double-double with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. Javan Simmons tallied 10 points and 11 boards for his fourth double-double of the season.
ROCKET LEADERS
Sam Lewis and Sonny Wilson are leading Toledo with 16.0 and 15.3 ppg, respectively. Javan Simmons is averaging 12.3 ppg, a team-high 6.8 rpg and a career-best 55.6 FG%.
ABOUT AKRON
Akron leads the MAC in scoring offense (84.4 ppg), scoring margin (+10.3), assists (18.4), and ranks fifth nationally with 10.9 three-point field goals made per game. Junior Nate Johnson is leading a balanced Zips' attack with 13.2 ppg, while junior Tavari Johnson is averaging 12.9 ppg and a team-high 4.1 apg.
TOLEDO VS. AKRON
• Sam Lewis and Javan Simmons averaged 18.5 ppg vs. Akron. Lewis shot 50.0% (6-of-12) from three-point range and Simmons was 52.4% from the field and 14-of-15 at the line.
• Isaiah Adams averaged 15.5 ppg, while Sonny Wilson averaged 12.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg.
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POST TOUCHES
• Sophomore Sam Lewis' 21 points vs. Ohio was his third straight 20-point outing and his 10th of the season. He also tied a school MAC Tournament record with a career-high four blocked shots and registered a season-high three steals.
• Sophomore Sonny Wilson's 13 rebounds in the MAC Quarterfinals were the most by a Rocket this season. He is leading the MAC with a 1.91 assist/turnover ratio and ranks eighth in the MAC with 15.3 ppg. Wilson also leads MAC guards and ranks ninth overall in the MAC with a 51.6 FG%.
• Sophomore Javan Simmons is averaging 18.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg with a 73.5 FG% (25-of-34) and a 92.3 FT% (24-of-26) in his last FOUR games. He has hit 33 of his last 36 FTs.
• Fifth-year senior Isaiah Adams' 26 points vs. Ohio in the MAC Quarterfinals were the most scored by a Rocket this season.
PROTECTING THE BASKETBALL
• Toledo ranks among the national leaders in fewest turnovers per game, averaging a MAC-best 9.5 miscues per game.
• UT is tied for 12th nationally, with North Alabama ranking first at 8.7.
• UT committed a season-low three miscues vs. James Madison (Feb. 8) as well as five or less turnovers in four other games.
UP NEXT
The Rockets will face either No. 2 Miami or No. 3 Kent State in the MAC Championship Game on Saturday, March 15 at 7:40 p.m. with a win over Akron.
Players Mentioned
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