Hardman scores 20 as Akron routs Northern Illinois 94-55 in MAC regular-season finale

By The Associated Press
March 6, 2026 | 8:54 PM

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Bowen Hardman’s 20 points helped Akron defeat Northern Illinois 94-55 on Friday night in a Mid-American Conference regular-season finale to up the Zips’ winning streak to seven.

Hardman shot 7 for 8, including 5 for 6 from beyond the arc for the Zips (26-5, 17-1). Amani Lyles scored 17 points while shooting 6 for 7, including 3 for 3 from beyond the arc, and added five rebounds. Sharron Young totaled 12 points and six rebounds.

Carlos Coronado and Giannin Cobb both scored 14 to lead the Huskies (9-21, 4-14). Cobb added five steals and Coronado had two more. Taj Walters scored nine.

Akron took the lead with 19:22 remaining in the first half and did not trail again. Lyles had 11 points at the break as the Zips built a 47-27 advantage.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cheryl Reeve steps away from the WNBA grind for a Hall of Fame induction

By The Associated Press
June 27, 2026 | 12:32 AM

Cheryl Reeve is taking a break from her busy WNBA season to head to Knoxville this weekend and be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. She's only the second WNBA coach to enter the Hall of Fame, joining former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, who was inducted in 2001. “(I appreciate) the magnitude of this recognition of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the great work that has gone into this institution,” Reeve said. “To walk around and see the history of how much has been done years before I could ever have this opportunity to coach. Grateful to the WNBA because I think there was some consideration given schedule wise.” Reeve will be joined by WNBA greats Candace Parker and Elena Delle Donne in this year's class. Parker and Delle Donne also will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. Other inductees include ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke, Kirkwood Community College coach Kim Muhl, Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro, French great Isabelle Fijalkowski and Clemson's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Barbara Kennedy-Dixon.

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