The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
15-5,8-0MAC
Northern Illinois
5-15,1-7MAC
Johnson & Johnson Combine For 40; Gray Records Double-Double in Road Win at NIU
January 28 | Men's Basketball
DEKALB, Ill, - Tavari Johnson and Nate Johnso combined for 40 points while Isaiah Gray recorded a double-double to help push the Akron men's basketball team to an 80-70 road victory at NIU Tuesday.
The Zips remain perfect in conference and move to 8-0 in the MAC. The 8-0 start is the best start to conference action under the direction of head coach John Groce.
The Zips (15-5, 8-0) had four players score in double figures, led by T. Johnson, who had 21 points and four assists. Nate Johnson added 19 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks and Isaiah Gray chipped in as well with a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Shammah Scott added 11 points and seven rebounds in the win.
This was the 11th game this season that Akron has had four or more players score in double figures.
Gray pulled down three offensive rebounds to pace the Akron offense which grabbed 14 boards and turned them into nine second chance points.
Akron's defense held Northern Illinois to only 39.3 percent shooting from the field. The Huskies did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with five offensive rebounds and managed six second chance points while Akron cleared 34 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After playing to a 24-24 tie, Akron went on a 9-0 run with 7:03 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Marvin Musiime-Kamali, to take a 33-24 lead. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 37-33 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down seven shots to account for 21 of its 37 points.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 47-42 before going on a 5-0 run to grow the lead to 52-42 with 15:11 to go in the contest. The Zips held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 80-70 win. Akron got out on the break in the period, scoring 17 fast break points.
Game Notes
» Isaiah Gray notched a double-double for the Zips with 12 points and 11 rebounds.» Akron found success from three point land, knocking down 10 treys in the game.
» The Zips held the Huskies to only 39.3 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Akron had a 48-31 edge on the boards in the win.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Tavari Johnson led the Zips with 21 points.
» Akron got a game-high 11 rebounds from Isaiah Gray.
What's Next?
The Zips travel to rival Kent State on Friday, January 31 for a battle with the Golden Flashes on CBS Sports Network.Â
