The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
11-5,4-0MAC
Toledo
9-7,3-1MAC
Zips Comeback To Defeat Toledo; Akron Moves to 4-0 in the MAC
January 14 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - For the second time this season the Zips overcame a double-digit first half deficit as the Blue and Gold defeated Toledo 85-78 at home Tuesday.
The Zips trailed the Rockets 42-30 at the half and used a 55 point second half to claim their fourth consecutive conference victory and eighth straight home victory. This also marks the second time the Zips have started league play 4-0 under head coach John Groce.
Akron (11-5, 4-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Nate Johnson, who had a career-high 28 points while adding nine rebounds, four assists and four steals. Amani Lyles added a career high 16 points, a career high seven made field goals and two blocks from the bench and Shammah Scott chipped in with 12 points.
The Akron bench tailed 41 points, the 12th game this season where the bench has scored at leas 30 points and fifth with at least 40.
Akron did an excellent job taking care of the basketball, dishing out 21 assists while turning the ball over nine times. Individually, Tavari Johnson led the way for the Zips with nine assists.
Akron's defense held Toledo to only 37.5 percent shooting from the field, including 27.8 percent from beyond the arc.
How It Happened
Akron struggled out of the gate, falling behind 42-30 heading into halftime.
Akron narrowed its deficit to 48-41 before going on an 11-0 run, finished off by Nate Johnson's layup, to seize a 52-48 lead with 12:36 to go in the contest. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 85-78 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 30 of its 55 points in the lane.
Game Notes
» Akron rallied from a 12-point 42-30 halftime deficit to pick up the win.» Akron found success from three point land, knocking down nine treys in the game.
» The Zips held the Rockets to only 37.5 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron tallied 21 total assists in the game.
» The Akron bench came alive by scoring 41 points to its scoring output.
» Amani Lyles and Shammah Scott came off the bench to score 16 and 12 points, respectively.
» Akron had a 47-39 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Zips were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Akron turned the ball over nine times while dishing out 21 assists.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Nate Johnson led the Zips with a game-high 28 points.
» Akron got a team-high nine rebounds from Nate Johnson.
What's Next?
The Zips stay at home as they host Ohio at James A. Rhodes Arena on Friday, January 17 for a nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network.
