The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
2-0
Hiram
0-1
Akron Zips Win Home Opener
November 16 | Men's Basketball
Follow Akron Basketball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram | Follow Coach Dambrot on Twitter
AKRON, Ohio – Five players scored in double figures as the Akron men's basketball team easily dominated the Hiram Terriers 100-30 in the home opener at James A. Rhodes Arena on Monday night.
With the win, the Zips improved to 94-21 all-time in home openers at the JAR, and 2-0 for the 2015-16 season. It also marked the 40th consecutive win over Hiram and the second win of head coach Keith Dambrot's tenure. The Zips lead the all time series 42-3.
"The last two games have helped us prepare by getting our young guys some on court experience," said Dambrot. "It gives guys a look at some of the game pressure they will be under, and it will help them get more comfortable in those situations."
Sophomore Aaron Jackson Jr. led the five players in double figures with a team-high 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor, to go with five rebounds. Senior Jake Kretzer was close behind with 15 points dropping three 3-pointers from beyond the arc. Seniors Reggie McAdams, Pat Forsythe and freshman Jimond Ivy added another 12 points. All 11 Akron players who dressed played and registered at least two points
Akron (2-0) shot 47.8 percent (32-of-67) from the floor, including a 39.3 percent (11-of-28) performance from long distance. Hiram (0-1) struggled offensively shooting 17.1 percent (12-of-70) from the field and 13.3 percent (4-of-30) from long range. The Zips out rebounded the Terriers 65-34. The 65 boards off the glass were the most rebounds in a game since Coppin State, 61 (1/2/13). It was also the largest rebound difference of +31.
The Zips opened up the home opener jumping out to a commanding 16-4 lead. Akron spread out the scoring with seven different Zips' players registering baskets. Senior Reggie McAdams started the run after pulling down an offensive rebound, put it back up, drew the foul and completed the three-point play and freshman Josh Williams finished off the run with his first two points of the contest.
Akron scored 20 unanswered points in the first half to dominate the first half. The Zips led by as many as 36 points at the 2:49 mark of the initial stanza. Kretzer single handedly scored as many points as the Hiram team (10) in the first half.
Defensively, Akron played sound defense on the Terriers holding them to just 10 points in the first half, 11.1 percent from the field (4-of-36) and a low six percent (1-for-15) from beyond the arc. Hiram did not score a point over the span of nine minutes until Paul Ortiz drove the lane and connected on a layup.
The Zips continued to pressure the Terrier offense to begin the second half. Hiram was held scoreless in the four minutes of the second half before Kyle Deckerd connected from long range at the 16:08 mark.
Deckerd scored Hiram's first 11 points of the second half with a pair of jumpers from long range.
The Zips ran away with the game outscoring the Terriers, 24-11, midway through the second half and extended the lead to 68-21.
The Akron basketball team will begin the 2015 NIT Season Tip-Off, playing Arkansas, Villanova, Green Bay and Charleston Southern.
Akron will play Arkansas on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET in Fayetteville, Ark which will be broadcast on the SEC Network. From there, the squad will then travel to Villanova, Pa., to take on Villanova on Sunday, Nov. 22, before traveling to Green Bay, Wis., to face Green Bay on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Akron will conclude the NIT Season Tip-Off by playing host to Charleston Southern on Friday, Nov. 27, at James A. Rhodes Arena at 7 p.m.
