Five Players Score in Double Figures as Zips Defeat Point Park, 102-46

Saturday, November 13

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

1-1,0-0MAC

102

Point Park

0-1

Point Park

Akron

102

Five Players Score in Double Figures as Zips Defeat Point Park, 102-46

November 13 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Five Players Score in Double Figures as Zips Defeat Point Park, 102-46
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AKRON, Ohio – Leading from start to finish in their home opener, the Akron Zips put a tough season-opening loss in the rearview mirror and routed visiting Point Park 102-46 Saturday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Sophomore forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) led Akron with 20 points and 14 rebounds for his first double-double of the year, junior guard Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) added 17 points and made 5-of-8 3-pointers, and sophomore forward Mikal Dawson (Huntington, W.Va.) chipped in with 12 points to help the Zips claim their first victory of the campaign. Freshman center Aziz Bandaogo (Senegal, Africa) turned in a solid all-around game with 11 points, nine rebounds and five blocks coming off the bench.

In a thoroughly dominant effort, the host Zips (1-1) led by as many as 58, limited the Pioneers to just 18 made field goal attempts, forced 20 turnovers and outrebounded the visitors by a count of 56-25. Shaking off a last-second loss to No. 17 Ohio State in its opener, Akron scored the game's first four points, increased its edge to double digits for good less than halfway through the opening half and had 11 different players score in the win.

The Zips started fast and rode a wave of 3-pointers and forced turnover to a first-half lead that reached as many as 36 points before intermission. At one point midway through the first half, Castaneda had more points (14) than the entire Point Park offense (12) and as a team, Akron made eight triples in the first 20 minutes.

Bandaogo was a force on defense in the opening frame, blocking two shots and influencing several others. Combined with 13 forced turnovers in the half, the Zips suffocated the visiting Pioneers (1-2) to the tune of just 14 points prior to intermission.

Senior guard Sherron Schifino led Point Park with 10 points and senior guard Jesse Calloway added eight in defeat.

The Zips conclude a brief two-game homestand on Thursday, Nov. 18 when they host Wheeling at 7 p.m. in a non-league tilt. Audio for the game can be streamed live on GoZips.com.