3 WINS. 5 DAYS. Zips Earn Tough Win Over EMU

Saturday, January 22

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

12-5,5-2MAC

Eastern Michigan

7-10,2-4MAC

Eastern Mich.

Akron

January 22 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

3 WINS. 5 DAYS. Zips Earn Tough Win Over EMU
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Box Sore PDF | Box Score

AKRON, Ohio – Five days, three games and three wins. The Akron Zips battled their way to a 46-44 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday evening at James A. Rhodes Arena, closing out a 3-0 week in which each win came in a decidedly different style of game.

After a dramatic comeback win to start the week and an impressive offensive barrage two days later, the Zips found themselves in a defensive battle, outlasting the Eastern Michigan to claim a two-point win.

The Zips (12-5, 5-2 Mid-American Conference) claimed a 46-42 edge with 2:30 remaining on a jumper in the lane by junior guard Bryan Trimble, Jr. (Kansas City, Mo.) and held on down the stretch as the Eagles (7-10, 2-4 MAC) narrowed the gap to two points, only to see a layup at the buzzer go astray, securing the win for Akron.

Sophomore forward Ali Ali (Kendallville, Ind.) led Akron with 15 points, with junior guard Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) adding 14 and sophomore forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) snaring a game-high 14 rebounds to pace his team to a 37-35 edge on the glass.

Both teams struggled to score throughout the game, with Eastern Michigan building a 29-23 lead at the half after an 11-3 run to begin the game put the hosts in a hole. Undeterred by a challenging first half offensively, the Zips returned the favor in the second half, limiting the Eagles to 15 second-half points.

With Akron amping up the defensive intensity, Eastern Michigan shot just 6-of-25 from the field after the break, with Freeman blocking two shots and the entire Akron defense harassing the Eagles at every turn.

Despite shooting 17-of-50 from the field and 7-of-22 from 3-point range, the Zips found a way to win and keep pace with the leaders in the MAC standings. Despite playing three games in five days, they dug deep and found a way to win a game that lacked in aesthetic value, but delivered in terms of drama and intensity.

Freshman forward Colin Golson led Eastern Michigan with 14 points and junior guard Bryce McBride added 10 in defeat.

UP NEXT
Akron is on the road for two MAC games next week, traveling to Central Michigan (ESPN3) on Tuesday, Jan. 25 and Toledo (CBSSN) on Friday, Jan. 28. Both games are slated for 7 p.m. tip-off times. Fans can also follow the action on Akron Sports Radio Network on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen (PxP) and Joe Dunn (analyst) or live stats on GoZips.com.