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GAME NOTES: The Akron Zips will try to remain on the top of the East Division in the Mid-American Conference when they host the Buffalo Bulls this evening at the Rhodes Arena.

The Bulls have been red-hot over the past couple of weeks and head into this matchup with a five-game winning streak. The last time Buffalo was on the floor the team grabbed a thrilling, 77-75 overtime decision against Saint Peter's. The team will now return to conference play, where the Bulls are a respectable 8-5 on the season.

The Zips took a break from league action over the weekend to take on VCU in BracketBusters play. Akron was no match for the Rams, and fell by a 70-53 margin. The setback snapped a five-game winning streak for Akron, which is currently tied with Kent State for the top spot in the MAC.

Earlier this season the Bulls grabbed a 78-65 victory over the Zips, but Akron has won six of the last eight meetings and owns a 23-18 advantage in the all-time series.

Sean Smiley played the role of hero over the weekend, as the guard connected on a basket in the final seconds of overtime to give the Bulls a thrilling two-point victory over Saint Peter's. Smiley finished with 14 points in the matchup, while Rodney Pierce led the way with 22 points. Calvin Betts added a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls, who as a whole shot a lackluster 39.7 percent from the field. Pierce and Betts have been the top two players on the floor for Buffalo throughout most of the season. Pierce comes into this game netting 18.9 ppg, while Betts is contributing 11.1 ppg, to go along with a team-best 7.4 rpg.

The Zips were terrible in their loss to VCU over the weekend, as the team shot a woeful 31.8 percent from the floor and finished just 4-of-20 from behind the arc. Not one player finished in double figures, as the team was paced by Steve McNees and his nine-point effort. On the year the Zips have been nothing more than mediocre offensively, as the team is posting just 69.9 ppg. Brett McKnight, who tallied just four points in the loss to VCU, is pacing the team on the year with 10.2 ppg. However, he is the only player averaging double figures for Akron. After McKnight there is Jimmy Conyers, who is chipping in just 9.5 ppg, but is pacing the team with 6.8 rpg.

Earlier this season the Bulls got the better of Akron, but with the Zips being on their home floor, they should be able to squeeze out a tight victory and remain in the running for the division crown.