Hunter, Akron Out of the NCAA Tournament

Zips Fall To Creighton 77-60

PITTSBURGH, PA, USA – Bahamas National Team player Sammy Hunter has played the final game of his solid college career with his University of Akron Zips falling to the Creighton Bluejays 77-60 in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Final from Pittsburgh.#GoZips🦘#1Akron pic.twitter.com/AYGrOCL8yo

— Akron Zips MBB (@ZipsMBB) March 21, 2024

The 3-seeded Bluejays came into the game as heavy favorites against the 14-seeded Zips, and they did not disappoint. The first half was a dogfight with team exchanging leads, however, Creighton did come out ahead of Akron 39-34. 

Creighton built on their first-half lead, outsourcing Akron 38-26 to secure the win.

Hunter had 7 points in the game failing to pull down a rebound or grab an assist. He was hampered by foul trouble all game, finishing with four fouls, coming one show of fouling out. 

📸 from our recent trip to Pittsburgh.

Full Gallery👉https://t.co/wXjjVa2DPy#GoZips🦘#1Akron pic.twitter.com/9x0XJsaQsi

— Akron Zips MBB (@ZipsMBB) March 22, 2024

Akron’s Enrique Freeman, the leading rebounder in the country, went out the way he played this season: with a double-double. He scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the loss. Creighton Center Ryan Calkbrenner led the team with 23 points and 8 rebounds. His backup, Bahamian Frederick King played one minute going scoreless. 
With the win, Creighton advances to the second round where they will play Oregon on Saturday night.

The next Bahamian to play in the tourney is A.J. Storr. He and his Wisconsin Badgers will play the James Madison Dukes Friday at 9:40 pm.