The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
3-2
Green Bay
2-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 33 | 30 | 63 |
| Green Bay | 33 | 33 | 66 |
Akron Zips End Road Trip with a Tough Loss to Green Bay
November 24 | Men's Basketball
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GREEN BAY, Wisc. – The University of Akron men's basketball team concluded its road trip for the 2015 NIT Season Tip-Off with a tough 66-63 loss to Green Bay. In the closely played physical battle, Akron (3-2) had a pair of opportunities to go-ahead or tie the game in the final seconds, however, the ball bounced in favor of the Phoenix (2-3) at the Resch Center on Tuesday evening.
With 40 seconds remaining in the contest, senior wing Jake Kretzer (Bainbridge, Ohio) slipped by the defense for an offensive rebound and put-back to bring the game within two points, 65-63. On the ensuing possession, Green Bay's Carrington Love drove into the lane, causing Kretzer to commit his fifth foul. Love missed the free throws, and the Zips hurried the ball down the floor, and with 11.5 seconds remaining, the Zips missed the mark from deep, the Phoenix secured the rebound and a trip to the free throw line. After splitting a pair of free throws, the Zips had one final opportunity to send the game into overtime. Again, the Zips pushed the ball down the floor for the final shot, and the ball rattled in-and-out of the cylinder, giving Green Bay its second win of the season.
Akron had all-around better shooting numbers than the opposition, but the Phoenix won the battle of the boards and the number of trips to the free throw line. Akron shot 35.0 percent from the field (21-of-60), 29.2 percent from downtown (7of-24), and 70.0 percent from the charity stripe (14-of-20) while Green Bay recorded a 32.4 shooting percentage (22-of-68) and just 15.4 percent from beyond the 3-point arc (2-of-13). The Phoenix secured 52 rebounds compared to the Zips' 45. Also, Green Bay made 37 trips to the free throw line, making 20 foul shots for a 54.1 FT percentage.
Three Zips scored in double figures led by senior center Pat Forsythe (Brunswick, Ohio) and sophomore guard Antino Jackson (Houston, Texas) with 14 points apiece. Forsythe collected six boards and a blocked shot while Jackson grabbed four boards with four assists and a steal. Kretzer followed 13 points and four rebounds on a 5-of-8 (.625) performance from the field and 3-of-6 (.500) effort from deep.
The Akron defense held Green Bay's leading scorer, Love, to just eight points on 2-of-11 shooting and 0-of-4 from downtown. Charles Cooper led the Phoenix with 14 points while Jordan Fouse recorded a game-high 16 rebounds to go along with nine points.Â
The Akron basketball team will travel back home for the final game of the 2015 NIT Season Tip-Off, playing host to Charleston Southern on Friday, Nov. 27, at James A. Rhodes Arena at 7 p.m. Fans can follow the action on GoZips.com with a live webstream or Live Stats.
