Zips Win Round One of Rivalry Series, 72-53

Friday, February 8

Akron, OH

9:00 pm

University of Akron

Kent State

February 09 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

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AKRON, Ohio – A 3-point barrage in the second half broke open a close game and gave the Akron Zips a 72-53 rout over arch rival Kent State in a rare Friday evening game at James A. Rhodes Arena.

With the win, Akron gained a half point for the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge, and now leads 3.5-2.5 over Kent State.

After making just three shots from behind the arc in the first half, the Zips (14-9, 6-4 MAC) buried seven in the second half to claim a key Mid-American Conference win.

Sophomore guard Loren Cristian Jackson (Chicago, Ill.) led Akron with a game-high 18 points. Junior guard Tyler Cheese (Albany, Ga.) had an all-around night, adding 15 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists.

Junior forward Daniel Utomi (Houston, Texas) added 14 points in the win and paced the 3-point party for the hosts. He made 4-of-5 triples and grabbed five rebounds, while senior guard Jimond Ivey (Cleveland, Ohio) added nine points, five rebounds and team-best three steals. Junior Channel Banks (Las Vegas, Nev.) also notched nine points.

The Zips wrested control of the game from the Flashes (17-6, 6-4 MAC) with a 13-0 run over a 5:41 span midway through the second half, capped by a pair of 3-pointers by Jackson to stake his team to a 50-39 lead. A breakaway dunk by Cheese moments later extended Akron's edge to 14 and a 3-pointer by Utomi on the next possession kept the Zips' rolling.

Kent State was never able to get closer than 14 the rest of the way.

The rivals traded runs during the middle portion of the first half, as Akron struck first, using six straight points from Banks on a pair of free throws and a pair of layups, to a 10-2 spurt that saw them claim a 17-12 edge at the 11:04 mark of the half.

Kent State responded with a 9-0 burst keyed by a 3-pointer by junior guard C.J. Williamson to edge ahead 21-17 before Akron rallied to tie the game with four straight points of its own. Each side had its secret to success in the opening half, as the Zips thrived on Banks' drives to the basket and the Flashes succeeded thanks to prolonging possession with eight offensive rebounds, earning numerous second chances.

Six of Akron's first seven baskets came on dunks or layups as they weren't able to consistently find open looks from the perimeter against the Flashes' aggressive man-to-man defense. Neither side was able to get on a hot streak shooting the ball as both teams headed to the locker room at intermission shooting below 46 percent, with Akron edging ahead at the break thanks to a buzzer-beating step-back 3-pointer from Utomi.

Kent State claimed a 40-33 rebounding edge on the night and was led by 12 points from junior guard Antonio Williams and 10 from senior guard Jaylin Walker.

Akron returns to action Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. as No. 23 Buffalo comes to town. The game can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on 1350-AM.