The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
22-6 (12-3)
Bowling Green
12-16 (6-9)
Zips Fall in Final Seconds, 66-65, at Bowling Green
February 21 | Men's Basketball
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BOX SCORE (PDF)Â |Â GAME NOTES (PDF)
Akron, Ohio – The Akron Zips fell to Bowling Green, 66-65, in the final seconds at the Stroh Center on Tuesday evening.
In a game featuring six lead changes in the final 2:27, the Falcons (12-16, 6-9) buried two free throws with 2.3 seconds showing on the clock to take a one-point 66-65 lead. At the 2:27 mark, Isaiah Johnson (Cincinnati, Ohio) used an old-fashioned 3-point play to give Akron  (22-6, 12-3) its first lead in the second half, 61-59. BGSU's Wes Alcegaire answered with a 3-pointer to swing the scoreboard back into the Falcons favor, 62-61.
On the ensuing possession, Johnson used another strong move in the post to put the Zips ahead 63-62 with 1:32 left to play. A minute later, the Falcons' Zack Denny retaliated with a Jumper for a 64-63 advantage with 20 seconds left in regulation. Again, the Zips went to Johnson, and he delivered with a layup off the glass for a 65-64 lead with seven seconds left in the game.Â
Immediately following Johnson's basket, Alcegaire raced down the floor and barreled into Johnson's chest, drawing a two-shot foul with 2.3 seconds left in the game. He drained both free thows, and the Zips attempt to regain the lead fell short.
Junior guard Jimond Ivey (Cleveland, Ohio) led Akron with 13 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. Freshman Tavian Dunn-Martin followed with 12 points on a 4-of-9 effort from deep, while junior Noah Robotham (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Johnson added 11 points each. Johnson completed his fifth double-double of the season by grabbing a team-high 14 rebounds.
Dylan Frye led the Falcons with 22 points, while Denny followed with 20 points.
Akron shot 35.9 percent from the field (23-of-64), 30.0 percent from long distance (9-of-30), and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. The Zips won the battle of the boards 42-38, but lost the turnover battle 14-8. Bowling Green shot 41.0 percent from the floor (25-of-61), 31.6 percent from deep (6-of-19), and 71.4 percent from the charity stripe (10-of-14).
The Akron basketball team will continue its road tour this week, traveling to Buffalo. On Friday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m., Akron will battle Buffalo at Alumni Arena on CBS Sports Network. Fans can also 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.
