The University of Akron Athletics
Akron-VCU Postgame Notes
February 23 | Men's Basketball
Post-Game
Notes
Team Notes:
• After winning 22-straight games at home (fifth-longest
streak in the nation), Akron has lost in back-to-back home
appearances (88-78 to Northern Illinois on Feb. 12 and today to VCU
57-52).
• The Zips' loss marks the first time since the 2001-02 season
that they have lost back-to-back home games. That season, UA was
defeated 61-60 by Eastern Michigan on Jan. 7, 2002 and 78-54 by
Kent State on Jan. 16, 2002.
• Despite today's loss, Akron has won 43 of its last 46 games
at Rhodes Arena and the program is 52-4 at home under fourth-year
coach Keith Dambrot.
• Akron entered the game averaging a MAC-leading 8.6
3-pointers made per game (averaged 9.9 makes from behind the arc
when playing at home), but converted just 6-of-25 from long range
against VCU. The Zips also entered the contest leading the league
in 3-point field goal percentage (38.9 percent), but shot 24.0
percent (6-of-25) in that category today.
• Akron shot a season-low 28.3 percent (17-of-60) from the
field for the game.
• The Zips won the battle of the glass for the second time in
as many games, out-rebounding the Rams 40-36. UA held a 20-19 edge
in the category at halftime.
Player Notes:
• Senior guard Cedrick Middleton led Akron with 17 points,
his third-straight double-figure scoring effort. He made 7-of-16
shots from the field and accounted for three of Akron's six
3-pointers made (shot 3-of-6 from behind the arc) in a
game-high-tying 35 minutes (Dials). Middleton improved his career
point total to 1,032, which ranks as the 33rd most in school
history.
• After sitting out the previous four games following surgery
on Feb. 9 to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee, Jeremiah
Wood came off the bench to achieve his sixth double-double of
the season and 18th of his career (14 points, 12 rebounds). Wood
went 5-of-5 from the free-throw line, and also had three assists
and two steals in 23 minutes of work. Wood improved his career
point total to 1,023, which ranks as the 34th most in school
history.
• Senior guard Nick Dials scored 14 points, making 4-of-11
shots from the field (2-of-7 3-pointers) and 4-of-4 attempts from
the charity stripe. He had four assists, zero turnovers and one
steal in a game-high-tying 35 minutes (Middleton). With his effort
today, Dials joined the Zips' 1,000-point scorer's list and now has
1,011 points (No. 36 all-time in program history) to his credit in
93 games wearing the blue and gold. He has 1,095 points in his
collegiate career, as he scored 85 in 19 games as a freshman at
Ohio State in 2003-04.
• In his fifth-straight start, sophomore forward Chris
McKnight grabbed seven rebounds (second highest on the team),
with six of those caroms coming off of the offensive glass. He also
had two points (2-of-4 from the free-throw line).
