Falcons Snap Akron’s 14-Game Home Winning Streak

Friday, February 26

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

14-6,12-5MAC

Bowling Green

14-9,10-7MAC

Bowling Green

Akron

Falcons Snap Akron’s 14-Game Home Winning Streak

February 27 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Falcons Snap Akron's 14-Game Home Winning Streak
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AKRON, Ohio – Playing at home for the first time in 10 days, the Akron Zips battled the visiting Bowling Green Falcons from opening tip to final buzzer, but dropped a 83-71 decision in a late-season Mid-American Conference battle Friday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The Falcons (14-9, 10-7 MAC) ended the Zips 14-game winning streak at The JAR and handed the Zips (14-6, 12-5 MAC) their first home loss of the season.

After trailing by just one point (38-37) at the break, the Zips briefly elbowed their way into the lead as senior guard Loren Cristian Jackson (Chicago, Ill.) shot out of the gate in the second half, draining his first two 3-pointers of the period to turn a three-point deficit into a 43-40 lead.

However, a cold stretch from the field caused the Zips to fall behind by as many as seven points in the ensuing moments and despite a late rally, they were unable to come away with the win. Jackson led the way with 29 points and was the only Zip to reach double figures. Jackson's 29-point performance moved him to seventh in all-time scoring at Akron with 1,502 career points in 84 games, passing Romeo Travis, who scored 1,491 career points (2004-07, 122 games).

Sophomore forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) added eight points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals and senior forward Camron Reece (Oakland, Calif) contributed six points, three rebounds and three blocks.

Akron blocked eight shots on the night, held a 17-14 edge in bench points and committed just 10 turnovers in the game, keeping itself in the game on a night when it shot just 34.4 percent from the field and made just seven 3-pointers.

There wasn't much separation for either team in the opening half as the largest lead in the frame was six points. Akron made its mark at the Foul line, drawing 13 Bowling Green fouls and tallying 10 points at the charity stripe.

On the defensive end, the Zips rejected five shots in the first 20 minutes, with Freeman sending two attempts back. An aggressive defense also staked the home team to a 12-2 edge in points off turnovers in the half and helped Akron stay in the game despite making just three shots from beyond the arc. Jackson tallied a team-high nine points in the half, while Reece recorded six, including four in a short burst that helped the Zips take a 29-23 lead.

Senior guard Justin Turner led the Falcons with 19 points along with six rebounds and freshman guard Kaden Metheny added 15.

A matinee contest awaits Akron for its next game as the Zips face Buffalo for the first time this season in a 2 p.m. contest on March 2. The game can be heard on WHLO 640-AM.