In a dramatic turn of events during the Mid-American Conference (MAC) men's basketball championship game in Cleveland, Kent State suffered a heartbreaking 62-61 loss to Akron due to a critical mistake in the final seconds. With the game at 61-60 in favor of Kent State and only 4.8 seconds left, Julius Rollins mistakenly fouled an Akron player, thinking his team was trailing. This error allowed Akron's Greg Tribble to make two free throws, securing the victory for Akron and clinching the MAC Tournament Championship. This loss was particularly agonizing for Kent State, as it likely cost them a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The game was marked by intense competition, with the score tied at 44-44 with 12 minutes to go, demonstrating the closely fought nature of this rivalry match.
‘Horrible’ Kent State blunder in final seconds costs them March Madness chance https://t.co/2hxTtSP4jX https://t.co/1sYb5SmLRC
WATCH: Kent State Player Has a Jawdropping Mental Lapse at the Absolute Worst Moment and Costs His Team an NCAA Tourney Bid https://t.co/Dvxtv08xlY
Kent State lost an NCAA Tournament bid by intentionally fouling after taking a 1-point lead https://t.co/4RSDcPe3b8
An honest mistake kept Kent State from punching its ticket to the men's NCAA tournament in heartbreaking fashion https://t.co/pBCvCOvDNP https://t.co/I6xTT5cdlV
ICYMI: Late mistake by Kent State allows Akron to pull out 62-61 win for MAC title, NCAA Tournament bid | AP News https://t.co/pwiKw8yeIB
A disastrous foul in the final seconds of the Mid-American Conference men’s basketball championship game in Cleveland helped Akron to victory and likely cost Kent State a trip to the NCAA Tournament. More on the loss ⤵️ https://t.co/uebtUI8Jvb
UPDATES: Greg Tribble's two late free throws after Kent State foul gaffe gives Akron 62-61 win in MAC title game (from @AP) https://t.co/SAQYe753yh
Kent State Player Makes Brutal Mental Error in Closing Seconds of MAC Championship https://t.co/3WVpEGUszQ
Kent State took a 1-point lead over Akron with 6.2 seconds left... and Julius Rollins proceeded to foul on purpose well before half-court as though Akron had the lead. Akron's Greg Tribble made two free throws to win the MAC Championship. 🏀🏆 Kent State HC Rob Senderoff:🤦♂️ https://t.co/jA39yoaIF7
Kent State took a 1-point lead over Akron with 6.2 seconds left... and Julius Rollins proceeded to foul on purpose well before half-court as though Akron had the lead. Akron's Greg Tribble made two free throws to win the MAC Championship. 🏀🏆 Kent State HC Rob Rob Senderoff:🤦♂️ https://t.co/ItUzrmVPtm
A wild finish results in Akron defeating Kent State for the MAC Tournament title and earning the conference's automatic bid the NCAA tourney. Details👇 https://t.co/XAwyq3apsS
Kent State just INTENTIONALLY fouled Akron while LEADING by one with 4 seconds left to lose the MAC title game 😳😳😬 Rob Senderoff could not BELIEVE it 🤯 https://t.co/KBo4C1r0dj
The Akron Zips clinch the MAC Tournament Championship! WHAT A GAME. https://t.co/89Met7KbC7
Kent State fouled after taking the lead with 5 seconds remaining in the MAC Championship game 😳 Akron went on to make both free throws and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. https://t.co/3blqRSvieB
Feel horrible for Kent State. Rough way to lose a championship game against your rival.
Kent State player fouls in final seconds, forgets Golden Flashes have the lead. Heartbreaking. https://t.co/Yhgm3FuV2W
I am sick for Julius Rollins. Kent State made a bucket to go up one with 4.8 to play but he thought they were down one and committed a foul. Two free throws later, Akron, not Kent State, is going dancing. Sports are cruel sometimes.
What agony for Kent State in the MAC final. They get a bucket to go ahead -- and a kid doesn't know the score and fouls thinking his team is behind and needs to stop the clock! Akron hits 2 FTs with 4.8 seconds left and wins 62-61. Nightmare of all time.
Good play drawn up by Kent State, just didn't make the shot. Akron is going Dancing.
(8) Kent State’s Julius Rollins forgets the situation and FOULS UP 1 WITH 4.8 left and gives Akron the lead back in the MAC Championship. WHAT ARE YOU DOING MAN?!!! (video via @cjzero) https://t.co/sJmVgJRL8u
OH NO KENT STATE 😬 They take the lead but didn't know the score and commit a foul up 1 https://t.co/fvJ90Sxjfs
mental mistake for Kent State fouling after taking the lead, that's a tough one https://t.co/XylUjzFJSb
Kent State just fouled Akron...with a one-point lead. And six seconds to go. And Akron is shooting 1-and-1. Rob Senderoff might dissolve into a pile of dust.
KENT STATE WITH THE PUT BACK AND OMG THE GOLDEN FLASHES FOUL AKRON ON THE INBOUNDS. ROB SENDEROFF IS BESIDES HIMSELF. 61-60 Kent State with 4.8 to go. ESPN2.
Kent State 44 Akron 44 12:00 to go. Rivalry knotted 82-82.
Akron leads Kent State at halftime. Details👇 https://t.co/XAwyq3apsS
Akron snaps out of slump to beat Ohio and advances to MAC tourney championship vs. Kent State https://t.co/Px3c03XPez
The Golden Flashes are headed to the MAC Championship! @KentStMBB will have a chance to defend their MAC title https://t.co/REpLBVC3rX
Akron Zips men's basketball team wins MAC Tournament quarterfinal vs. Miami and advances to face Ohio in semifinals. Updates here👇https://t.co/VUYziIcaHW
ANOTHER 1 SEED GOES DOWN! Kent State beats Toledo! https://t.co/wXMJnXqskm
Toledo just lost the MAC 1-8 game to Kent State. Perpetual chokers in Cleveland. https://t.co/dt3ksaiC55
MAC basketball regular season champions: 2024 Toledo 2023 Toledo 2022 Toledo 2021 Toledo MAC tourney champions: 2024 TBD 2023 Kent State (2-seed) 2022 Akron (4-seed) 2021 Ohio (5-seed)
8-seed Kent State knocks off 1-seed Toledo, 67-59, to kick off today’s MAC tourney festivities in Cleveland The MAC will not be represented by its regular season champion
Another 1-seed goes down, as 8-seed Kent State upsets Toledo in the quarterfinals of the MAC tournament.
Down goes top MAC seed Toledo to Kent State.
WE’VE ALREADY LOST A ONE SEED ON QUARTERFINAL THURSDAY! #8 Kent State dominates through the second half to upset #1 Toledo and extend the Rockets streak of seasons without making the NCAA Tournament. Feel so bad for the Rockets program. Voncameron Davis finished with 26 & 12.
The March nightmare continues for Toledo, which falls to No. 8 seed Kent State 67-59 in the MAC tournament. The Rockets have won the MAC regular-season title four consecutive seasons and only made one MAC title game. UT's NCAA tournament drought grows to 44 years.
GET TO ESPN+ We have one-seed on the ropes and it’s only lunch time! #8 Kent State has led #1 Toledo since the 2:53 mark in the first half. Golden Flashes are currently up seven at the U8 media timeout, 46-39. Voncameron Davis with 20 points & 9 rebounds.
MIKE BEKELJA FROM 3! KENT STATE LEADS TOLEDO BY 11 WITH 14:31 TO PLAY! #8 seed leads the #1 by a score of 40-29. ESPN+
We have a massive 🚨 UPSET ALERT 🚨 in Cleveland right now. The #8 seed Kent State Golden Flashes have held control for almost all of the first half over #1 Toledo. Top of the MAC continues to struggle. 28-24 KSU at halftime. ESPN+