The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Valparaiso
Men's Basketball Falls 62-59 at Valparaiso
November 18 | Men's Basketball
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VALPARAISO, Ind. – The University of Akron men's basketball team dropped a 62-59 decision to the Valparaiso Crusaders Friday night at the Athletics-Recreation Center as part of the 2K Sports Classic.
Sophomore forward Demetrius Treadwell and junior forward Quincy Diggs led the way for Akron (2-1) with 13 points each while sophomore forward Nick Harney had 11 points. Sophomore guard Alex Abreu dished out a career-high 10 assists while Treadwell led the Zips with eight boards.
For the game, Akron shot 43.3 percent from the floor (26-of-60) while Valparaiso (3-1) was 19-of-46 from the field (41.3 percent). The Crusaders were held scoreless from long range (0-of-14) while the Zips were 4-of-11 (36.4 percent).
Kevin Van Wijk led all players with 21 points and had 10 boards.
Valpo's Ryan Broekhoff would go 1-for-2 at the line, giving Valpo a 61-59 lead. Diggs would take a 3-pointer with 9 seconds left, but the shot would not fall. The Crusaders would make 1-of-2 at the line following an Akron foul to take the 62-59 win.
The Akron defense would answer, forcing Valpo into a shot clock violation and the turnover with 43.5 seconds to go in the game. Following a Zips timeout with 38.7 on the clock, Brett McClanahan missed a runner in the lane, forcing Akron to foul.
Both teams traded buckets until Akron was able to open a five-point lead (59-54) with 4:22 to go in the game. The Crusaders answered to take a 60-59 lead with 1:42 to go.
Following a Valpo bucket, Treadwell made a nice defensive play to get the steal, ran the floor and got the fast break lay-up to give Akron a 45-44 lead with 10:42 to go.
The Crusaders used a 10-0 run to open the second half to take a 42-33 lead with 15:54 to go in the game. However, the Zips would answer. Akron would score on its next four possessions and cut the Valpo lead to 42-41 with 12:23 to go thanks to an 8-0 run over the next 3:31.
Akron lead early on, but Valpo kept the game close over the first 10 minutes. The Crusaders took their first lead at the 12:38 mark (9-8) before the Zips used an 18-7 run to open up a 26-16 lead at the 6:52 mark.
After leading 31-21 with 4:46 left in the half, Valpo used an 11-2 run to close out the first 20 minutes.
The Zips closed out the half with a 33-32 lead. Treadwell and Harney led the way for Akron with seven points each, while Nikola Cvetinovic pitched in with six points.
Fouls were the story for the Zips in the first half as Akron was called for 18 fouls to just eight by Valparaiso. Akron shot 46.9 percent from the floor (13-of-32) while Valparaiso closed the half shooting 47.4 percent (9-of-19). The Crusaders held a 19-15 rebounding advantage, but committed 12 turnovers to six by the Zips.
The Zips will have a quick turnaround as they will face Duquesne tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET from the Athletics-Recreation Center.
Zips Notebook: Alex Abreu is the first player to record 10 assists since Dru Joyce had 10 assists against Youngstown State on Jan. 2, 2007 ... Demetrius Treadwell set career highs for points (13) and rebounds (8) ... the Zips held an opponent without a 3-point field goal for the seventh time under eighth-year head coach Keith Dambrot.
