The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
12-5,5-0MAC
Ohio
10-7,4-1MAC
Gray and Lyles Set Career Highs in Scoring; Zips Move to 5-0 in the MAC, 9-0 at the JAR
January 17 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - Isaiah Gray and Amani Lyles set career highs in scoring as the Akron Zips took down the Ohio Bobcats, 92-80 at home Friday evening.
Akron moves to 5-0 in the MAC and 9-0 at home this season.
The Zips (12-5, 5-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Isaiah Gray, who had a career high 22 points and two steals. Amani Lyles tacked on a career high 17 points while adding six assists and three blocks from the bench. Nate Johnson chipped in with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
Akron did a stellar job taking care of the basketball, dishing out 24 assists while turning the ball over nine times. Lyles' six assists paced the Zips. Sharron Young also added with five assists of his own.
The Akron defense held Ohio shooters to only 34.4 percent from the field, including 25 percent from three-point range.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 27-20 advantage, Akron went on a 7-0 run with 5:45 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Johnson, to increase its lead to 34-20. The Zips then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 44-29 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down six shots to account for 18 of its 44 points.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Gray's layup, to grow the lead to 72-54 with 8:44 to go in the contest. The Bobcats narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 92-80 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 28 of its 48 points in the lane.
Game Notes
» Akron found success from beyond the arc, knocking down 10 treys in the game.» The Zips held the Bobcats to only 34.4 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Akron recorded 24 total assists in the game.
» The Akron bench made an impact by adding 39 points to its scoring output.
» The Zips were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying seven blocks as a team.
» Akron turned the ball over nine times while dishing out 24 assists.
» Isaiah Gray led the Zips with 22 points.
» Akron got a team-high eight rebounds from Nate Johnson.
What's Next?
Akron travels to Buffalo on January 21 for a 7 p.m. start.
