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  • Akron’s Garvin Clarke (11) rebounds against Kent State’s VonCameron Davis (1) and Justyn Hamilton (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Mid-American Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
  • Kent State’s Malique Jacobs cheers on his team against Akron during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Mid-American Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Cleveland. Jacobs was suspended for the first half. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
  • Akron’s Xavier Castaneda (13) steals the ball from Kent State’s Sincere Carry (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Mid-American Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
  • Kent State’s Justyn Hamilton (21) rebounds against Akron’s Mikal Dawson (22) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Mid-American Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
  • Akron’s Ali Ali (24) scores past Kent State’s Justyn Hamilton during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Mid-American Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
  • Akron’s Ali Ali (24) and Kent State’s Andrew Garcia (4) scramble for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Mid-American Conference tournament, Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

CLEVELAND (AP) — Enrique Freeman scored 23 points and Akron’s defense clamped down on Mid-American Conference player of the year Sincere Carry while defeating rival Kent State 75-55 in the MAC championship to earn its first NCAA bid since 2013.

The fourth-seeded Zips ended Kent State’s 14-game winning streak on a day that began with four Golden Flashes players being disciplined for a profane video.

Freeman added eight rebounds and was named the tournament’s MVP. Justyn Hamilton scored 19 to lead Kent State, which played short-handed due to discipline dished out by the MAC in the wake of a video recorded by Golden Flashes players in their locker room after Friday’s win over Ohio.

Carry had just six points and nine turnovers.