The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
18-5,10-1MAC
Central Michigan
13-10,8-3MAC
Defensive Effort Leads Akron Over Central Michigan, 68-47
February 06 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio -The Akron men's basketball team kept Central Michigan to just 16 percent from 3-point range in a 4-for-25 shooting performance on the way to a 68-47 win over the Chippewas at home Tuesday.
The Zips (18-5, 10-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Enrique Freeman, who secured a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Greg Tribble added 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks and Tavari Johnson helped out with 10 points off of the bench.
The Akron offense was very productive from downtown, pouring in nine threes on 32 attempts. Mikal Dawson was the most prolific shooter for the Zips, draining two treys in the contest.
Akron's defense held Central Michigan to only 16 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 30.8 percent from the field. The Chippewas did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with four offensive rebounds and managed seven second chance points while Akron cleared 33 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
Akron started out the scoring by going on a 13-0 run, culminating in a three from Johnson, to take an early lead with 14:50 left in the first half. The Zips then added two points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 35-20 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down six shots to account for 18 of its 35 points.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 51-35 before going on a 10-0 run to grow the lead to 61-35 with 5:11 to go in the contest. The Chippewas narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 68-47 win. Akron made the most of nine offensive rebounds to tack on six second chance points out of 33 total in the period.
Game Notes
» Enrique Freeman notched a double-double for the Zips with 17 points and 15 rebounds.» Akron found success from beyond the arc, knocking down nine treys in the game.
» The Zips held the Chippewas to only 30.8 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron never trailed on the way to a 68-47 victory.
» Akron had a stellar day defensively, holding Central Michigan to 16 percent from three point land on 25 attempts.
» Akron had a 50-31 edge on the boards in the win.
» Akron turned the ball over five times while dishing out 12 assists.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Enrique Freeman and Greg Tribble led the Zips with a game-high 17 points each.
» Akron got a game-high 15 rebounds from Enrique Freeman.
What's Next
Akron travels to James Madison on Saturday to conclude the MAC-SBC Challenge on February 10 for a 6 pm start on ESPN 2.
