Akron Wins Seventh Straight Game, Castaneda Scores 32

Tuesday, January 31

Buffalo, NY

7 PM

University of Akron

16-6,8-1MAC

Buffalo

10-12,4-5MAC

Akron

Buffalo

Akron Wins Seventh Straight Game, Castaneda Scores 32

January 31 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Buffalo, NY – Akron increased its winning streak to seven games, including four consecutive road games as the Zips defeated Buffalo 81-64 at Alumni Arena on Tuesday night.

Senior Xavier Castaneda paced the Zips with 32 points on a nearly flawless shooting performance. He shot 10-of-12 from the field and 7-of-8 from long distance, only missing the mark on his final two attempts. It was Castaneda's fifth 30-plus point performance of the season and fourth straight game a Zip dropped 32. Castaneda was one of four Zips to register double figures in points as junior Enrique Freeman had 18 points and nine rebounds, while graduate Trendon Hankerson and freshman Nate Johnson each tallied nine points.

A smothering defense and explosive offense set the tone from the opening tap, as Castaneda recorded 10 of the first 12 points for Akron (16-6, 8-1). The Zips built a 20-point advantage by the 5:49 mark en route to a 42-25 halftime lead. Akron posted a 56.7 shooting percent from the field (17-of-30), including a 71.4 effort from deep (5-of-7) and 75.0 percent from the free throw line. Castaneda finished the initial 20-minutes 6-of-6 and 3-of-3 from downtown. Defensively, Akron caused 11 UB turnovers with six steals and four blocked shots, resulting in 19 points.

The Zips carried the momentum into the second frame, shooting over 50 percent from the floor and 60 percent from distance. Akron led by as many as 24 points with 14:09 left to play. Buffalo (10-12, 4-5) cut the deficit to 12 and 13 points on three occasions, but two paint points from Hankerson stalled their run, Nate Johnson halted the second comeback effort with a corner three and Hankerson hit a long-range jumper from the opposite corner to stop the final attempt at a comeback.

The Zips finished the game shooting 55.4 percent from the floor (31-of-56), 66.7 from beyond the arc (12-of-18) and 70.0 percent from the charity stripe (7-of-10). Akron caused 18 turnovers for the game with 10 steals and six blocked shots. The Bulls won the battle of the boards 36-27.

Curtis Jones paced the Bulls with 19 points, while Isaiah Adams and Yazid Powell contributed 13 and 10 in the loss.

The stage is set for the top two teams in the Mid-American Conference to battle on national television, as Akron hosts crosstown rival Kent State on Friday, Feb. 3 at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.