Zips Comeback for Rivalry Game Falls Short

Friday, February 11

Akron, Ohio

7 pm

University of Akron

16-7,9-4MAC

Kent State

15-9,10-4MAC

Kent St.

Akron

February 11 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Zips Comeback for Rivalry Win Falls Short
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Final Box Score PDF | Box Score

AKRON, Ohio – A last-second jumper by junior guard Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) was off the mark as the Akron Zips dropped a 66-64 decision to the visiting Kent State Golden Flashes on Friday evening. Kent State earned a half point for the Crystal Clinic Orthopeadic Wagon Wheel Challenge to take a 4-1.5 lead in the all-sports series.

The back-and-forth battle saw the Zips (16-7, 9-4 Mid-American Conference) rally time and again, tying the game and taking the lead in the second half, before clutch shooting down the stretch allowed the visitors to claim the win.

Akron sophomore forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) led Akron's second-half surge, nearly posting a double-double in the closing frame. After a quiet first half, Freeman could not be stopped in the second half, scoring all 21 of his points after intermission and grabbing nine of his 13 rebounds in the period. Sophomore forward Ali Ali (Kendallville, Ind.) added 11 points and junior guard Bryan Trimble, Jr. (Kansas City, Mo.) contributed 11 for the Zips.

Defensive intensity was piquing from the opening tip as both rivals aggressively pressured the ball, contested shots, battled for rebounds and dove for loose balls. Both sides also endured offensive droughts, with Akron finding its way back into the game after falling into a nine-point deficit by holding the Golden Flashes (15-9, 10-4) without a field goal for a 5:23 span late in the first half.

Akron's aggressive defense forced seven Kent State turnovers before the break and that effort allowed the Zips to stay in the game when the shots weren't falling. Key 3-pointers by Ali and Castaneda bolstered the Akron attack in the opening half and Ali's team-best nine points in the frame made a big impact.

Redshirt junior guard Sincere Carry led Kent State with 19 points and redshirt sophomore guard Giovanni Santiago added 15.

It's back the road for Akron for its next contest, a 6 p.m. contest against Western Michigan on Feb. 15. Action from Kalamazoo can be seen on ESPN3.