Late Shot by Ali Lifts Akron to 74-73 Win over Western Michigan

Tuesday, January 18

Akron, Ohio

6 PM

University of Akron

10-5,3-2MAC

Western Michigan

4-13,0-6MAC

Western Mich.

Akron

Late Shot by Ali Lifts Akron to 74-73 Win over Western Michigan

January 18 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Late Shot by Ali Lifts Akron to 74-73 Win over Western Michigan
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AKRON, Ohio – A dramatic turnaround jumper by sophomore forward Ali Ali (Kendallville, Ind.) with four second left capped a furious late-game rally and claimed a key Mid-American Conference win for the Akron Zips as they downed visiting Western Michigan Broncos 74-73 Tuesday evening at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Ali's jumper closed out a 11-0 burst over the final 2:40 of the game, erasing a 10-point deficit and earning Akron its tenth win of the season. Sophomore guard Greg Tribble (Cincinnati, Ohio) started the Zips' run with a 3-pointer from the wing and added two steals, two assists and a defensive rebound in the final minutes. Following Ali's jumper, the Broncos took a timeout and came out of the break with a chance to win the game, but the Zips clutched up defensively to close out the win as a layup attempt by redshirt sophomore forward Markeese Hastings was off the mark.

Ali led the Zips (10-5, 3-2 MAC) with 18 points with had five rebounds and five assists. Despite battling foul trouble, sophomore forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) notched 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds and junior guard Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) also reached double figures, posting 14 points and a team-best six assists.

The contest was back and forth all night, with Akron controlling the glass and the Broncos (4-13, 0-6 MAC) shooting a strong 58.3 percent, 14-of-24 mark from beyond the arc. The Zips' 35-25 rebounding edge included an impressive 18 offensive rebounds, helping them amass an 18-5 advantage in second-chance points.

Akron's dominance in the paint extended to a 34-18 margin on points in the paint, with Freeman and freshman center Aziz Bandaogo (six points, four rebounds) adding in a combined two block shots in addition to their scoring and rebounding.

It was a big win for the Zips in the tightly packed MAC standings and a key bounce back game after a road loss in their previous outing.

Sophomore guard B. Artis White led the Broncos with 23 points in defeat and junior guard Lamar Norman Jr. added 19.

Akron will have just one day to recover before its next game on Thursday, Jan. 20 at Bowling Green. Tip-off at the Stroh Center is slated for 7 p.m. Fans can follow the action live on ESPN3, Akron Sports Radio Network WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen (PxP) and Joe Dunn (analyst) or by live stats on GoZips.com.