Akron Sweeps Miami Series with 75-65 Win

Saturday, February 22

Akron, Ohio

4 pm

University of Akron

21-6,11-3MAC

Miami

10-16,3-10MAC

Miami (OH)

Akron

February 22 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

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AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips seized the opportunity to remain in the top of the league standings with a 75-65 win over the Miami RedHawks on Saturday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Seniors Tyler Cheese (Albany, Ga.) and Xeyrius Williams (Springfield, Ohio) led Akron with 17 points each. Cheese added six rebounds and four assists, while Williams collected his 10^th double-double of the season by grabbing 10 rebounds. Senior Channel Banks (Las Vegas, Nev.) and junior Loren Cristian Jackson (Chicago, Ill.) followed with 14 points each in the win. The leading rebounder for the Zips was center Deng Riak (Melbourne, Australia), who claimed 11 boards.

Unlike some of their recent home contests, the Zips didn't allow the opposition to get out of the gate quickly. They kept the RedHawks in check throughout the first half, stifling the visitors to the tune of 30.3-percent (10-of-33) shooting. While the game's slower pace kept turnovers down for both sides, Akron (21-6, 11-3 MAC) denied Miami (10-16, 3-10 MAC) clean looks at the hoop and limited the RedHawks to just three offensive rebounds before intermission.

Despite numerous efforts by Miami to mount rallies in the second half, Akron fended off each one as its defense led the way. On the afternoon, Akron blocked seven shots, including two each by Riak and junior Jaden Sayles (Cincinnati, Ohio).

Those rejections, coupled with clutch layups and 3-pointers by Jackson, Cheese and Banks kept Akron ahead for most of the game. The Zips claimed the lead with 10:14 remaining in the first half and never trailed again, leading by as many as 17 as they won their fifth straight game and their 13^th of 15 games at home this season.

With the win, Akron retains the top record in the MAC and is in pole position for a first-round by in the upcoming MAC Tournament. With two of their four remaining games at home, the Zips will have a chance to continue their quest for the top tournament seed with the aid of some home cooking.

Junior Nike Sibande led Miami with 14 points and 11 rebounds in defeat. Junior forward Milos Jovic added 11 points, while sophomores Elijah McNamara and Isaiah Coleman-Lands chipped in 10 each for the RedHawks.

Akron heads out on the road for its next two contests, traveling to Bowling Green and Buffalo next week. The Bowling Green contest, which will have first place in the MAC East on the line, tips off at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Stroh Center. That contest can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on 1350-AM.