A Sell Out Crowd Witnessed the Zips Dominate Game One of Rivalry Series

Friday, February 3

Akron, Ohio

9 PM

University of Akron

17-6,9-1MAC

Kent State

18-5,8-2MAC

Kent St.

Akron

A Sell Out Crowd Witnessed the Zips Dominate Game One of Rivalry Series

February 04 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

AKRON, Ohio – In front of a sellout crowd and a national TV broadcasted audience, the Akron Zips led wire to wire and thumped the visiting Kent State Golden Flashes 67-55 to seize control of first place in the Mid-American Conference on Friday night.

The 160th matchup between the two rivals drew a sellout crowd of 5,821 fans at James A. Rhodes Arena as senior guard Xavier Castaneda led the way for the Zips, recording a game-high 24 points. Junior forward Enrique Freeman tallied his 12th double-double of the season with 19 points and 17 rebounds, helping his squad to a 36-28 edge on the glass. The series is deadlocked at 80 wins apiece.

In a contest between the two best scoring defenses in the MAC, it was the Zips (17-6, 9-1 MAC) who locked down the Flashes (18-5, 8-2 MAC) to move to 12-0 at home this season. Akron limited Kent State to 37.5-percent shooting overall and 23.1 percent from long distance in a dominant effort.

Akron found good looks against an aggressive Kent State defense early on, making four of its first seven 3-point attempts and leading by as many as nine in the first half. Castaneda, junior forward Sammy Hunter and graduate transfer guard Trendon Hankerson all drained key triples in the half and led by as many as nine before the break.

On defense, the Zips forced seven Kent State turnovers in the opening frame, converting those miscues into 12 points on the other end. Those points helped them take a 34-29 lead into intermission, setting up the intense second half that saw Akron close out the win by holding the Flashes scoreless for the final three minutes.

Clutch foul shooting carried the Akron offense down the stretch, with a 20-7 overall scoring edge from the foul line in the game and a 15-5 edge in the second half.

Redshirt senior guard Sincere Carry led Kent State with 15 points and sophomore guard Jalen Sullinger had 13 in the contest.

In the first Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge matchup of the season, Akron earned a half point as KSU leads 4.0-1.0.

The Zips welcome another MAC contender to Rhodes Arena in their next game as the Toledo Rockets come to town for a 7 p.m. tip-off on Feb. 7. The game can be seen on ESPN+ and heard at WHLO 640-AM.