The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
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Iona
4-1,0-0MAAC
Five Zips Score in Double Figures; Akron Opens Paradise Jam With 96-75 victory over Iona
November 21 | Men's Basketball
ST. THOMAS, USVI - Five Zips scored in double figures as the Akron Zips defeated the Iona Gaels 96-75 at Elridge Wilburn Blake Sports and Fitness Center Friday to begin the Paradise Jam.
The Zips (4-1) had five players score in double figures, led by Eric Mahaffey, who had 20 points and eight rebounds. Tavari Johnson added 19 points, Evan Mahaffey chipped in with 16 points and five rebounds. Shammah Scott added 14 points and five assists while Bowen Hardman fired in 10 points.
Akron shared the ball well in Friday's game, racking up 20 assists on 35 made field goals. Individually, Sharron Young and Scott led the way for the Zips with five assists.
Akron forced 17 Iona turnovers while committing 11 themselves in Friday's game. The Zips turned those takeaways into 26 points on the other end of the floor. Young led the way individually with two steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 3-2, Akron went on a 10-0 run with 17:51 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Johnson, to take a 12-3 lead. The Zips then added five points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 47-33 advantage. Akron capitalized on 11 Iona turnovers in the period, turning them into 15 points on the other end of the floor.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 64-43 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Marvin Musiime-Kamali's layup, to grow the lead to 71-43 with 12:37 to go in the contest. The Gaels narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 96-75 win. Akron made the most of six offensive rebounds to tack on 10 second chance points out of 49 total in the period.
Game Notes
» The Zips shot well from three point range, knocking down nine of 21 long range attempts.» Akron never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Akron recorded 20 total assists in the game.
» Five Akron players scored 10 or more points.
» Akron had a 40-31 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Eric Mahaffey led the Zips with a game-high 20 points.
» Akron got a game-high eight rebounds from Eric Mahaffey.
What's Next?
The Zips will battle either Oregon State or Evansville on Sunday, November 23 at 8 p.m. ET.
