Akron 81, Cent. Michigan 60

3/13/2008 3:04 PM

CLEVELAND (AP) -Jeremiah Wood scored 17 points and had nine rebounds to lead Akron to an 81-60 win over Central Michigan in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament on Thursday.

Central Michigan, which hit 12-of-23 3-pointers in Wednesday's 83-71 opening-round win over Northern Illinois, was hot from beyond the arc again to start the game.

The Chippewas' first six field goals were 3-pointers, giving them an 18-13 lead, but Akron tightened up its defense. Central Michigan didn't hit another 3-pointer and ended up 6-of-24.

After trailing by five midway through the first half, the Zips (22-9) took the lead for good, 29-27, on Wood's tip-in at the 1:40 mark.

Akron led 34-29 at the half and quickly built on that margin. The lead reached double figures early in the second half and the Zips pulled away.

Nate Linhart added 16 points and Brett McKnight scored 12 for Akron.

Central Michigan's Giordan Watson, who scored 20 points Wednesday, was scoreless in the first half. He ended up with 11 points.

Chris Kellerman led the Chippewas (14-17) with 14 points.

Akron hit 28-of-50 shots while Central Michigan was 20-of-58 from the field.

The Zips meet second-seeded Western Michigan in Friday night's semifinals.