Akron Tough Down the Stretch, Freeman Notches Double-Double

Tuesday, November 15

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

2-1,0-0MAC

Morgan State

1-3,0-0MEAC

Morgan St.

Akron

Akron Tough Down the Stretch, Freeman Notches Double-Double

November 15 | Men's Basketball

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AKRON, Ohio – Behind a relentless defense and a massive scoring edge from the foul line, the Akron Zips downed visiting Morgan State 65-59 Tuesday evening at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The two sides traded runs and defensive stands throughout, with the Zips (2-1) seizing control for good down the stretch.

Junior forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) posted his second double-double of the season to pace Akron, notching 17 points and 13 rebounds. Senior guard Xavier Castañeda (Chicago, Ill.) added 16 in the win and sophomore guard Nate Johnson (Liberty TWP, Ohio) contributed 11.

After the Bears (1-3) claimed a 44-42 edge midway through the second half, the Zips battled back and increased their lead to five on a wing 3-pointer by graduate student guard Trendon Hankerson (Novi, Mich.) with 6:19 remaining. Johnson continued the decisive 11-2 run with a driving dunk to beat the shot clock, putting his squad ahead 56-49 with 5:34 remaining and a second triple from Hankerson moments later pushed the lead to 10.

Akron's defense held the visitors without a point for a crucial 3:47 span during the same stretch, topping off a strong defensive outing.

Both sides utilized pressure and aggressive defense from the outset, leading to a close contest that saw Akron gradually build an early lead despite struggles at the foul line. It was the defense that set the tone, with the Zips forcing nine first-half turnovers they converted into 10 points. Castañeda (12 points) and Freeman (10) paced the Akron offense in the opening half.

The offense came on late in the period, helping key a late 10-4 to give momentum to the blue and gold.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by Johnson, the second with 1:25 left in the half, boosted the Akron lead to double digits for the first time at 36-26. Castañeda delivered a big shot to end the half, draining a 24-foot 3-point bomb from beyond the top of the key and completing the four-point play at the foul line to stake the Zips to a 40-28 halftime edge.

Senior guard Isaiah Burke led Morgan State with 18 points and senior guard Malik Miller chipped in with 10 in the loss.

A trip to the Caribbean awaits Akron, with a Nov. 21 tilt against Western Kentucky at the Cayman Classic in the Cayman Islands set to tip at 1:30 p.m. The contest can be streamed live on GoZips.com.