Tribble Sinks Game Winner, Akron Opens Season with Overtime Win

Monday, November 7

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

1-0,0-0MAC

South Dakota State

0-1,0-0Summit League

OT 1

South Dakota St.

Akron

Tribble Sinks Game Winner, Akron Opens Season with Overtime Win

November 07 | Men's Basketball

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AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips started the 2022-23 season with a thriller, outlasting the visiting South Dakota State Jackrabbits 81-80 in an overtime as junior guard Greg Tribble (Cincinnati, Ohio) made the game-winning free throw with 2.4 seconds left in the extra period.

Senior guard Xavier Castañeda (Chicago, Ill.) led the way with a career-high 31 points for Akron, including 8-of-12 marksmanship from long distance, with junior forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) delivering an all-around effort that included 23 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Graduate student guard Trendon Hankerson (Novi, Mich.) also reached double figures with 11 points in his Akron debut.

Freeman powered the Zips (1-0) coming out of the half, notching back-to-back baskets to trim a six-point deficit to two (41-39). Akron continued to erase SDSU leads until a 3-pointer from the wing by Castañeda put the Zips ahead 50-49 with 12:17 remaining. Another triple by Hankerson pushed the edge to four, setting the stage for the dramatic closing stretch.

Akron drew to within one (62-61) with 4:15 remaining on its ninth 3-pointer of the night – a dagger from the top of the key by sophomore guard Nate Johnson (Liberty Township, Ohio) – and the two teams traded leads the rest of the way before the hosts took control in the closing minutes of overtime for the win.

The Zips celebrated their 2021-22 Mid-American Conference title and kicked off what they hope will be another campaign leading to an NCAA Tournament berth, presenting championship rings to returning members of last year's championship squad.

With a wealth of new faces in the rotation, Akron faced a South Dakota State side coming off a league title and NCAA appearance of its own. The defending Summit League champs used a size advantage and solid outside shooting to build a lead of as many as eight points in the opening half, but key 3-pointers by Castañeda stemmed the tide each time the Jackrabbits (0-1) looked to gain separation.

Senior forward Matt Dentlinger led SDSU with 15 points in defeat and freshman forward William Kyle III added 14.

The Zips return to action on Nov. 11 with a neutral site contest against Mississippi State as part of the inaugural Barstool Sports Invitational at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The action tips off at 7 p.m.