Akron Extends Winning Streak to 10 Games with 90-80 Win Over Western Michigan

Tuesday, January 24

Kalamazoo, MI

7 pm

University of Akron

17-3, 7-0MAC

Western Michigan

6-13, 2-5MAC

AKRON

Western Michigan

Akron Extends Winning Streak to 10 Games with 90-80 Win Over Western Michigan

January 24 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

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BOX SCORE PDF | GAME NOTES (PDF)

Kalamazoo, Mich. – Senior Kwan Cheatham, Jr. (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded his fifth double-double of the season while leading the Akron Zips to their 10^th straight win over Western Michigan 90-80 at University Arena on Tuesday night.

Cheatham poured in 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his third double-double in five games. Four other Zips finished with double figures in scoring as junior Noah Robotham (Las Vegas, Nev.) followed with 14 points,. Senior Isaiah Johnson (Cincinnati, Ohio) and sophomore Jimond Ivey (Cleveland, Ohio) recorded 13 points apiece, while junior Antino Jackson (Houston, Texas) completed the double-digit scoring with 12 points and sophomore Josh Williams (Akron, Ohio) added nine points.

The Broncos were led by Thomas Wilder with a game-high 25 points, followed by a trio of 14-point scorers in Tucker Haymond, Reggie Jones, and Brandon Johnson.

Akron (17-3, 7-0) finished the game shooting 54.7 percent from the field (29-of-53) and 52.2 percent from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 12-of-23 from downtown. The Zips added a 74.1 percent effort from the charity stripe (20-of-27). Western Michigan (6-13, 2-5) held a 37-31 advantage on the glass and won the turnover battle 6-8.

The Broncos started the scoring, but only held the lead for 27-seconds before Johnson tied the game with an inside post move. Ivey followed with a layup and a 3-pointer from the corner, which sparked a 12-2 run that was capped by a Williams triple from the top of the key.

Wilder answered with a 3-pointer, cutting the Zips' 10-point lead to seven, 14-7, at the 15:15 mark.

Akron responded with an 11-1 run, starting with an alley-oop to freshman Emmanuel Olojakpoke (Houston, Texas). The Zips added three long distance buckets before WMU was able to put the ball in the net. Akron led 25-8 with 11:55 left in the first half.

After a pair of Broncos' free throws, the Zips 3-point barrage continued. The Zips buried four-straight long-range shots, including two by Cheatham. Williams and freshman Daniel Utomi chipped in one each as Akron extended its lead to 23 points, 39-16, on 9-of-12 behind the 3-point arc. Western Michigan did not score a field goal during the run that lasted 5:15.

The Zips held a 20-point advantage until the Broncos ended the half with a 3-pointer and old-fashioned 3-point play mixed with a second Olojakpoke dunk. Akron led 50-34 at the break. It was the sixth time this season Akron scored 50 in a half and second time scoring 50 points in the first half.

Akron shot 58.8 percent from the field (20-of-34) and finished shooting 9-of-16 from long distance for a 56.3 percentage from downtown.

In the second half, Akron increased the lead to 20 points by the 11-minute mark, 69-49. However, the Broncos began to chip away at the lead, cutting the deficit to single digits with 2:13 left to play. Akron responded with three free throws by Robotham for a 85-73 lead. Akron closed the game with five additional free throws to remain undefeated in Mid-American Conference play.

The Zips have won 10 consecutive regular season MAC games, dating back to the 2015-16 season which is the second longest MAC winning streak in Dambrot's tenure. The 2006-07 Zips won nine straight games in a single season after dropping the MAC opener to Ohio. However, the 2012-13 Zips, who won 19-straight games, rattled off 13 consecutive league games during that run.

In addition, this is the second-straight season the Zips have rattled off 10-straight games, tying the second longest single-season streak in Dambrot's tenure.

Akron will be back in action at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday, Jan. 28 against Buffalo at 7:30 p.m., immediately following the women's game against Eastern Michigan that begins at 5 p.m. Fans can follow the action on WatchESPN/ESPN3, GoZips.com via live stats, or by Zips' radio broadcast on Akron-IMG Sports Network available at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips.

Season ticket holders for both men's and women's basketball will be admitted to the game. Fans can purchase single-game men's basketball tickets, which will provide admission to both contests.

Single-game, mini plan tickets are on sale now, including a three-game mini plan which fans can select any three of the remaining games for $48 per seat. Tickets can be purchased online at ZipsTickets.com, by phone at 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or in person at The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the intersection of E. Exchange and S. Union streets), Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.