Akron Falls in Overtime at Western Michigan

Tuesday, February 15

6 PM

University of Akron

16-8,9-5MAC

Western Michigan

6-20,2-13MAC

OT 1

Akron

Western Mich.

February 15 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Akron Falls in Overtime at Western Michigan
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Box Score PDF | Box Score

Kalamazoo, Mich. - Sophomore Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) recorded his 14^th double-double of the season with 16 points and 18 rebounds as the Akron Zips (16-8, 9-5 MAC) fell 61-57 in overtime at Western Michigan on Tuesday night. Juniors Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) and Bryan Trimble, Jr. (Kansas City, Mo.) followed with 11 and nine points, respectively.

The Broncos (6-20, 2-13 MAC) opened the game on fire, knocking down their first five shots and three from deep for an early 15-7 advantage. However, the Zips turned-up the defensive intensity and held the Broncos scoreless for 5:56 while shooting 0-of-10 during scoring drought. Akron scored six unanswered points during that span and continued to limit the home team's offensive attack. Akron used a second 8-0 run to take over scoreboard 25-24 on a dunk by freshman Aziz Bandaogo (Senegal, Africa), and by halftime, Akron led 29-26 paced by seven points from Castaneda and six by Bandaogo with seven different Zips touching scoring column. Bandaogo finished the game with nine points.

In the second half, Akron pushed the lead to as many a six points 40-34, before a 5-minute scoreless streak let the Broncos back into the game as WMU took a 41-40 advantage. Akron quickly bounced back with back-to-back paint points from Freeman. Trimble followed with a 3-pointer from the wing, but the Broncos tied the game 50-50 with 43.3 seconds to play to force overtime.

In overtime, a big 3-pointer by WMU's Lamar Norman, Jr. gave the Broncos a 55-52 lead in the extra period with 1:55 left to play and the Broncos held on for the win. Norman led the Broncos with 19 points and Mileek McMillan added 14 points.

UP NEXT
The Zips will continue their three-game week at the JAR on Thursday, Feb. 17 against Northern Illinois at 7 p.m. before departing for Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 19 (3 p.m.). 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.