Mid-American Conference (MAC) basketball is right around the corner, and each team is still vying for position.  

Kent State is still atop the MAC with eight wins so far. Northern Illinois and Western Michigan bring up the rear with three wins apiece.  

Here is how everything went over the past week: 

Kent State (8-2) 

The Golden Flashes have not faced an opponent since their 87-57 win over Mercyhurst on Dec. 15.

Their next game will take place in Tuscaloosa as they face the sixth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1 pm.  

Akron (7-4) 

Akron is still within striking distance of first place in the MAC, and with conference play right around the corner, they are poised for another solid season.  

The Zips traveled to El Paso to take on Yale on Friday, where they lost 74-58 and defeated Jackson State 68-50 on Saturday.

In the win over Jackson State, senior guard Isaiah Gray recorded his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.  

Akron senior forward James Okonkwo leads the MAC in rebounds with 8.4 per game, which is over one rebound more than second place.  

Miami (OH) (6-4) 

The RedHawks dropped a game to Vermont 75-67 on Wednesday and are now 2-2 in their last four games.  

Miami rallied behind the high scorer, junior guard Peter Suder, who scored 21 points in the loss.

As a team, the RedHawks were only able to make one three-pointer as they went 6.7% (1-15) from deep in the loss to Vermont.  

Miami is holding opponents to 71.9 points per game, which is good enough to land them third in the MAC.  

Eastern Michigan (6-5) 

The Eastern Michigan Eagles defeated the Wright State Raiders 86-82 on Saturday, snapping a three-game losing streak.

 Eastern Michigan rallied behind a season-high 27 points and 13 rebounds from senior forward Da’Sean Nelson. Nelson was one of four players to score in double figures that game.

The Eagles also had a great rebounding night, grabbing 15 offensive boards.  

Toledo (5-6) 

The Rockets traveled to the Fertitta Center to take on the nationally ranked Houston Cougars on Wednesday, where they were defeated 78-49.  

Sophomore guard Sam Lewis was Toledo’s lone scorer in double digits with 14 points in the loss.

Toledo also struggled scoring as they shot 29.6% (16-54) from the field and 27.8% (5-18) from behind the arc.  

Toledo averages 78.3 points per game, which lands them second in the MAC.

Ball State (5-6) 

The Cardinals have started to string together wins as they win their second straight with an 80-43 victory over Evansville on Saturday. 

Coming off the bench, the Cardinals were led in scoring by senior center Payton Sparks, who put up a new season-high of 20 points in 17 minutes of play. The Cardinal offense was flowing against the Aces as they went 50% (27-54) from the game and 41.2% (7-17) from three.  

Ball State is forcing opponents to shoot 41.2% from the field, putting them second in the MAC.  

Buffalo (5-6) 

The Bulls have dropped two straight as they lost to Georgia 100-49 on Thursday.

Buffalo was led in scoring by senior guard Tyson Dunn with nine points, as none of the Bulls were able to score in double digits against Georgia. Buffalo shot 34% (18-53) from the field and 21.1% (4-19) from three-point range.  

Buffalo is shooting 44.6% from the field this season, putting them seventh in the MAC.

Central Michigan (5-6) 

Central Michigan has now dropped three straight games as they fell to Mississippi State 83-59 and Arizona 91-41 on Tuesday and Saturday, respectively.

In the game against Mississippi State, senior guard/forward Jakobi Heady scored a season-high 18 points. 

Against Arizona, sophomore guard Cayden Vasko was the lone scorer in double figures with 10 points.  

On average, Central Michigan holds its opponents to 42.5% shooting percentage from the field, ranking third in the MAC.  

Ohio (5-6) 

The Bobcats have gotten themselves back in the winning column with a 78-58 victory over Austin Peay on Wednesday.

Ohio earned the victory behind a strong outing from senior forward AJ Clayton, who recorded 22 points and six rebounds.

Ohio put on an offensive clinic as they shot 52% (26-50) from the field and 50% (12-24) from three-point range.  

Clayton is also the MAC leader in blocks per game with 1.5 as he anchors the Bobcats defense this season.  

Bowling Green (4-7) 

The Falcons have now lost two games in a row as they dropped a game at home against St. Thomas 93-68 on Saturday.

Bowling Green was led by junior guard Javontae Campbell, who scored 18 points. Senior forward Marcus Johnson added 16 points, while senior guard Derrick Butler crossed 1,000 career collegiate points with 15 in the game.

The first half was a slow start for BGSU, as they were only able to score 20 points as a team.  

Johnson is also the MAC’s leading scorer. He is averaging 17 points per game on 47.1% from the field.  

Northern Illinois (3-8) 

Northern Illinois continues their road losing streak with a loss at Illinois State 81-60 on Wednesday. They are now 0-7 in away games this season.

A strong showing from sophomore guard Quentin Jones, with a season-high 27 points, was not enough to get the Huskies the win. Jones was the only player for both teams to score 20 or more points.  

The Northern Illinois Huskies are averaging 68.7 points per game this season.  

Western Michigan (3-8) 

The Broncos have now lost four straight with a heartbreaking loss to Valparaiso 76-73 on Friday.

Although Western Michigan lost, six players finished in double digits, including all five starters.

The Broncos were led by junior guard Chansey Willis Jr., who finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

The Western Michigan defense still holds strong as they hold opponents to an average of 73.0 points per game.