The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Miami (Ohio)
Men's Basketball Drops 57-52 Overtime Decision to Visiting Miami (Ohio)
February 21 | Men's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips were not able to make shots late, going 1-of-8 from the field in overtime, and would fall 57-52 to visiting Miami (Ohio) on Saturday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Antino Jackson put Akron up 48-46 with 29 seconds left in regulation, making a tough layup in traffic. However, he would foul Eric Washington with 15 seconds to go, and Washington would make two free throws to send it to overtime.
Deji Ibitayo put the Zips up two to open overtime, but Akron (17-10, 8-6 MAC) would be held scoreless for the next 4:04 until Jake Kretzer made it a one-point game with eight seconds remaining. Following two Washington free throws, the Zips would turn the ball over on the inbounds play.
Kwan Cheatham, Jr., led the way for Akron with 14 points, five rebounds and an assist. Noah Robotham 10 points and five assists, while Ibitayo chipped in with nine points, three rebounds and two assists.
As a team, the Zips shot 19-of-59 from the floor (32.2 percent) and made 7-of-32 (21.9 percent) from beyond the arc. Miami (Ohio) (11-16, 6-8 MAC) connected on 21-of-57 (36.8 percent) from the field and 3-of-12 (25 percent) from long range.
Washington led Miami with a game-high 21 points to go with five assists and five rebounds.
Both Akron and Miami (Ohio) began the game with offensive struggles through the first five minutes of the game. The Zips opened up the game shooting just 2-of-7 and the Redhawks were 1-of-7.
Akron's offense began to click at the 14:34 mark as the Zips went on a 7-0 scoring run to give them an 11-2 lead midway through the first half. Ibitayo would end the Akron run with a 3-pointer.
The Redhawks were able to get their offense going, making three-straight baskets on three possessions by Washington and Geovonie McKnight. The Zips were able to answer right back with two baskets by Pat Forsythe to take a 21-14 lead with 4:49 to play in the first half.
Miami took their first lead of the game (23-22) courtesy of a lay-up from Willie Moore with 42 seconds left on the clock. The lay-up was the end result of a 9-0 run by the Redhawks.
The Zips committed 13 turnovers in the first half as they trailed 23-22 at the intermission.
Akron regained a two-point lead (27-25) at the 16:12 mark in the second half after Reggie McAdams stole the ball, passed it up to Robotham running the floor and he found Ibitayo trailing for the wide-open slam-dunk.
The Akron offense started to use its size to its advantage with Isaiah Johnson. He scored six-straight points for the Zips and Ibitayo added another two during Akron's 8-0 scoring run to give them a 38-30 lead with 11:32 to play.
After the Zips run the Redhawks came right back with a 9-0 run to take a one-point lead, but the Zips would answer with a Robotham long ball.
In the final seven minutes of the game, neither team held a lead larger than three points. The lead changed five times and the game was tied twice.
Akron returns to Akron on Tuesday, Feb. 24, when the squad travels to Buffalo. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. ET and the game will air live on ESPN3.
