In what was an instant classic, and possibly the Game of the Year in the MAC, the eleventh-seeded Zips stunned the sixth-seeded Broncos at home, coming back from a 23-point first half deficit to sneak into Cleveland with a 79-78 win.
The game started out fast and furious for the home team. Senior guard Thomas Wilder, junior guard Bryce Moore, and sophomore guard Reggie Jones started out the game with four consecutive three-pointers, with Jones hitting two in a row, all within the first few minutes of the contest. This led to the Broncos holding Akron scoreless for the first eight minutes of the game and eventually taking a commanding 27-4 lead midway through the first half.