The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
14-5,7-0MAC
Miami (OH)
14-5,6-1MAC
Six Zips Score in Double Figures in Akron's 102-75 Win Over Miami (OH)
January 25 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - Six Zips scored in double figures as Akron rolled past the Miami RedHawks 102-75 at home Saturday.
With the win, Akron remains perfect in the MAC (7-0) and at the JAR (10-0). The Zips have started the past two season 7-0 in conference action, the best start to MAC play for an Akron squad led by head coach John Groce.
The Zips (14-5, 7-0) had six players score in double figures, led by Tavari Johnson, who had 15 points and six assists. Nate Johnson added 14 points, seven rebounds and four steals and Seth Wilson chipped in with 14 points. Isaiah Gray (13), Bowen Hardman (12) and Amani Lyles (10) rounded out the list of double figure scorers.
Akron has had four or more players hit double figure scoring in 10 games with the win over the RedHawks. The Zips have also scored at least 85 points in in 11 games, which include the past six MAC games, and are a perfect 11-0 when doing so.
The Zips were electric from beyond the arc, hitting 15 triples on the day. Seth Wilson drilled four while Hardman extended his streak of consecutive games with a made 3-pointer to 12. Scott and Hardman are now tied for the longest streak of consecutive games with a made 3-point shot.
Akron out-rebounded Miami (OH) 41-24 in Saturday's game, led by nine boards from Shammah Scott. The Zips also pulled down 12 offensive rebounds and scored 16 second chance points.
The Akron defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Saturday's game, forcing 15 Miami (OH) turnovers while committing 13. Those takeaways turned into 22 points on the offensive end of the floor. Nate Johnson's four steals led the way individually for the Zips.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 27-13 advantage, Akron went on a 9-0 run with 8:30 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Wilson, to increase its lead to 36-13. The Zips then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 52-28 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down 10 shots to account for 30 of its 52 points.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 61-31 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Amani Lyles' layup, to grow the lead to 68-31 with 16:29 to go in the contest. The RedHawks narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 102-75 win. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 23 of its 50 total points.
Game Notes
» The Zips shot well from three point range, knocking down 15 of 34 long range attempts.» Akron never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Akron tallied 21 total assists in the game.
» The Akron bench came alive by scoring 42 points to its scoring output.
» Six Akron players scored 10 or more points.
» Bowen Hardman and Amani Lyles came off the bench to score 12 and 10 points, respectively.
» Akron had a 41-24 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Tavari Johnson led the Zips with 15 points.
» Akron got a game-high nine rebounds from Shammah Scott.
What's Next?
The Zips travel to Northern Illinois to battle the Huskies on Tuesday, January 28 for a 7 p.m. ET start.
