Takeaways from each MAC team’s first game

All 12 Mid-American Conference teams were in action on Monday in the second installment of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge to begin the 2024 season. The challenge offered intriguing matchups between some of the conference’s preseason favorites. 

Here’s what stood out in each MAC team’s first game of the season: 

Miami (Ohio) 77, Appalachian State 63

The RedHawks began their season with a win and newcomers Peter Suder and Kam Craft excelled with 17 and 16-point outbursts, respectively. Miami shot 44% from 3 and snapped App State’s 15-game home win streak. 

Kent State 70, Louisiana 66

Preseason All-MAC First Team selection VonCameron Davis led the charge for KSU with 17 points, 13 of which came from the free-throw line. The Flashes snagged 11 offensive rebounds and won the overall battle by nine to take home the win. 

Central Michigan 74, South Alabama 70

The Chippewas had five players in double digits, including transfers Kyler VanderJagt, Jakobi Heady and Ugnius Jarusevicius. The best defense in the MAC last season held South Alabama to 32% from 3 and avoided a second half comeback to start 1-0. 

Buffalo 83, Old Dominion 82

Transfer Tyson Dunn knocked down a corner 3 with just over one second remaining to cap off his 24-point and 10-assist double-double. The team picked to finish last in the MAC preseason poll was the final team to take down a Sun Belt foe. 

James Madison 88, Ohio 78 

A slow start for the conference’s favorite was too much to overcome against the reigning Sun Belt tournament champs in James Madison. All-Conference selection AJ Clayton struggled in Game 1, scoring eight points while shooting 1 for 6 from the field. 

Arkansas State 80, Akron 75 (OT)

Last year’s tournament champs in the MAC could not overcome their 10-point halftime deficit and dropped Game 1 against the Sun Belt preseason favorites. Freshman Sharron Young led the Zips in scoring with 15 points and shot 60% from beyond the arc. 

Troy 84, Toledo 74

Sophomore All-MAC pick Javan Simmons had 19 points and eight rebounds to start his second season with Toledo, but the Rockets fell short in the season opener away from home. Toledo struggled from deep, cashing in on just 17% of 3s. 

Georgia State 71, Ball State 66

The Cards struggled to defend down low, allowing 42 points in the paint. BSU had four players in double figures, a positive despite the close loss. 

Coastal Carolina 60, Western Michigan 56

The Broncos shot just 35% from the field and tallied only five assists but played well on defense in the loss. 

Georgia Southern 80, Northern Illinois 65

James Dent Jr. had 24 points, but the Huskies turned it over 19 times to drop game one. 

Southern Miss 77, Bowling Green 68

Derrick Butler and Trey Thomas scored 17, but Bowling Green failed to overcome a 10-point deficit at the half. 

Texas State 64, Eastern Michigan 44

Christian Henry was the lone Eagle in double figures with 17 for a team that shot under 30% for the game.