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Four Zips Score in Double Figures; Gray and Okonkwo have double-doubles in Win Over Jackson State
December 21 | Men's Basketball
EL PASO, Texas - Four Zips scored in double figures while Isaiah Gray and James Okonkwo both recorded double-doubles to help lead the Akron men's basketball team past the Jackson State Tigers 68-50 at Don Haskins Center Saturday.
The double-doubles by Gray, who had 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Okonkwo, who had 10 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks, led the Zips (7-4) in the contest. Shammah Scott helped out with 12 points and six rebounds while Sharron Young added 11 points.
Led by Okonkwo's nine offensive rebounds, Akron did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 24 boards that resulted in 18 second chance points.
The Akron defense held Jackson State shooters to only 28.8 percent from the field, including 28.6 percent from three-point range. The Zips also kept Romelle Mansel to 3-of-13 shooting and nine points in the game.
How It Happened
After falling behind 24-23, Akron went on a 7-0 run with 2:30 left in the first half to take a 30-24 lead. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 30-29 advantage. Akron capitalized on nine Jackson State turnovers in the period, turning them into eight points on the other end of the floor.
Jackson State proceeded to take a 37-28 lead before Akron went on an 11-0 run, finished off by Scott's three, to seize a 39-37 lead with 14:10 to go in the contest. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 68-50 win. Akron shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting six shots from deep to score 18 of its 38 points.
Game Notes
» Akron got double-doubles from both Isaiah Gray and James Okonkwo.» Akron found success from beyond the arc, knocking down nine treys in the game.
» The Zips held the Tigers to only 28.8 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron tallied 15 total assists in the game.
» The Akron bench made an impact by scoring 36 points to its scoring output.
» Shammah Scott and Sharron Young came off the bench to score 12 and 11 points, respectively.
» Akron had a 58-37 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 24 offensive boards in the game.
» Shammah Scott led the Zips with a game-high 12 points.
» James Okonkwo grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds to lead Akron and Isaiah Gray contributed 11.
What's Next
Akron travels to battle Princeton on Monday, December 30 for a 1 p.m. start
Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational
Tournament MVP - Otis Frazier III - UTEP
Shammah Scott - Akron
Romelle Mansel - Jackson State
Nick Townsend - Yale
Kevin Kalu - UTEP
Don Haskins Award -Â Ahamad Bynum - UTEP
