Akron Extends Win Streak to 10 Games on ESPNU

Friday, January 8

7 pm

University of Akron

13-2 (2-0MAC)

Western Michigan

6-9 (0-2MAC)

Western Michigan

Akron

January 08 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

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AKRON, Ohio. – Despite struggling offensively in the second half, a strong first half performance and tough defensive play down the stretch was enough to propel the University of Akron men's basketball team to its tenth consecutive victory, 62-53, against Western Michigan Friday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.

With the win, the Zips improve to 13-2 (2-0 MAC) and the Broncos stand at 6-9 (0-2 MAC). Akron's 13-2 overall record marks the best start for the Zips under the direction of Keith Dambrot, and the Zips best start in the Division I era. In addition, the 10-game winning streak marks the second-best in Dambrot's tenure behind a 19-game run in 2012-13.

Sophomore guard Antino Jackson (Houston, Texas) scored a team-high 15 points with a career-high eight rebounds and four assists. Senior wing Jake Kretzer (Bainbridge, Ohio) came off the bench to score 13 points all coming from the long ball and a free throw while Sophomore guard Noah Robotham (Las Vegas, Nevada) chipped in eight and another four assists.

Western Michigan's Thomas Wilder led all players in scoring with a game-high 26 points and nine rebounds. Anthony Avery Jr. posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

From the field, Akron shot 34 percent (18-of-53) in the contest but shot just 22.7 percent in the second half. The Broncos shot at 31.8 percent clip on 21-of-66 from the floor. The Zips outshot Western Michigan from distance as Akron went 9-of-29 (31.0 percent) while the Broncos shot a low 10.5 percent clip (2-for-19).

After the initial five minutes of the contest, Akron and Western Michigan were each shooting 50 percent from the field. The Zips had the small advantage, 10-7, and shot 4-for-8 from the field and 1-1 from the free throw line while the Broncos went 3-for-6 .

Over the next four minutes (15:29-12:31), Akron could not miss going on a 16-4 run to jump out to a 21-9 lead. Robotham and Jackson connected on back-to-back three pointers. The next two Akron possessions resulted in a Cheatham slam-dunk in the paint and Kretzer splashed another trey from the corner.

Akron led by as many as 14 points at the 11:17 mark of the first half. At the 4:04 mark, Western Michigan cut the Zips lead to seven with a 9-2 run. Three of the four baskets came from inside the paint and second chance opportunities in part to offensive rebounds.

Kretzer did what he does best and nailed back-to-back three pointers in less than 30 seconds. Robotham found Kretzer posted up in the corner for his first shot and 20 seconds later he pulled up from three feet behind the arc and hit nothing but net.

The Zips defense forced 11 Bronco turnovers resulting in 11 points in the first half but Akron was out rebounded by Western Michigan 23-14, including 12-4 in offensive rebound category.

The second half of the game opened up completely opposite as the initial stanza. The Zips shot just 1-for-7 overall from the floor and 0-for-4 from three-point land in the first five minutes of the second half. While the Zips struggled, the Broncos went 3-for-11 and trimmed the Akron lead to seven, 36-29.

With the Zips offensive struggles in the second half, the Broncos took advantage and cut the Akron lead to just two points with 8:54 to play. Western Michigan went on a 8-2 run before Jackson Akron's third basket of the half with a three pointer from the top of the arc. Jackson's bucket was Akron's first in a four minute span.

In the following six minutes of play, Akron and Western Michigan scored a combined 14 points, seven each. Five of the Zips seven points came from the free throw line.

With a five point lead and three minutes to play, the Akron defense increased its intensity and the Zips offense outscored the Broncos 6-1 to put the Zips up ten points and the game out of reach.

The Akron basketball team will continue Mid-American Conference play on Tue., Jan 12, traveling to Mount Pleasant, Michigan to play west division rival Central Michigan. The game is set to tip at 7 p.m. ET. and will be televised on American Sports Network (ASN) and ESPN3. Fans can also follow the action via live stats on GoZips.com or by Zips' radio broadcast on Akron-IMG Sports Network available at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips.