Ali scores 19 to carry Akron over Buffalo 70-68 in MAC

CLEVELAND — Ali Ali had 19 points and Greg Tribble made two free throws with 3.2 seconds left and fourth-seeded Akron edged fifth-seeded Buffalo 70-68 in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference tourney on Thursday. Buffalo missed a 3-pointer with 22 seconds to go. Tribble was fouled as he drove to the basket. Jeenathan Williams led the Bulls on Thursday with 17 points and seven rebounds.