Zips Drop MAC Home Opener to Buffalo, 87-65

Tuesday, January 9

Akron OH

7 p.m.

University of Akron

7-8 (0-3)

Buffalo

11-5 (3-0)

BUFFALO

AKRON

January 09 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

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Akron, Ohio – Playing at home for the first time in 2018, the Akron Zips weren't able to snap their two-game Mid-American Conference losing streak, falling 87-65 to the visiting Buffalo Bulls on Tuesday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Freshman guard Virshon Cotton (Milwaukee, Wisc.) led the Zips' scoring with a career-high 23 points while adding two steals, two rebounds and an assist in 29 minutes off the bench. Junior guard Jimond Ivey (Cleveland, Ohio) added 16 points, including three of the team's six 3-pointers.

The Zips (7-8, 0-3 MAC) were ice cold at the outset, missing their first 12 field goal attempts, turning the ball over seven times, and falling behind 27-7 in the game's first 12-plus minutes.

Akron's first seven points all came from the foul line as they got into the bonus early. Freshman forward Jaden Sayles (Cincinnati, Ohio) buried the first set of bonus buckets, while Cotton made three charity tosses and Sayles ollected two more freebees to get the Zips on the board. A baseline jumper by freshman center Mark Kostelac (Cleveland, Ohio) broke Akron's drought from the field, but the Zips were unable to get closer than 15 points before intermission and trailed 38-17 at the break.

Seven of Buffalo's first 13 points came off Akron turnovers as the Bulls (11-5, 3-0 MAC) methodically built a double-digit edge that also included six second-chance points. Junior guards Jeremy Harris and C.J. Massinburg combined for nine early points to get Buffalo off to a strong start and the duo combined for 27 points on the night.

The bright spot in the opening 20 minutes for the hosts was strong defense beyond the arc, as they forced the Bulls into 1-of-16 shooting (6.3 percent) from 3-point range prior to the break. Buffalo was able to compensate for its errant marksmanship from long distance by controlling the paint, outrebounding the Zips 40-34 and recording a 44-12 edge on points in the paint.

The Zips were also able to get on track from behind the arc in the second half thanks in large part to Ivey's efforts and made 6-of-11 triples in the second stanza. Despite the improved shooting, the Zips weren't able to cut the margin to fewer than 24 points as Buffalo continued its strong inside play behind 17 points from junior forward Nick Perkins.

Behind Cotton's efforts, Akron received 38 points in bench scoring as four reserves recorded double-digit minutes. It was the first home loss of the season for the Zips, who won their first seven contests of the campaign at home.

The Zips are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 13 as they host MAC East foe Bowling Green at James A. Rhodes Arena at 2 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN3 and heard on 1350-AM.