The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
8-3,0-0MAC
Murray State
8-3,0-0MVC
Johnson and Young Combine For 48 Points in Loss to Murray State
December 13 | Men's Basketball
HENDERSON, Nev. - Tavari Johnson collected 28 points and Sharron Young added a career-high 20, but the Akron men's basketball team fell to the Murray State Racers 115-100 at Lee's Family Forum on Saturday.
The Zips (8-3) had four players score in double figures, led by Johnson, who had 28 points. Young tacked on 20 points from the bench and Amani Lyles helped out with 16 points and five assists. Chabi Barre added 10 points, three rebounds and two blocks.
Akron did a stellar job taking care of the basketball, dishing out 19 assists while turning the ball over eight times. Individually, Evan Mahaffey dished out the most for the Zips with six assists.
The Akron defense was a problem in Saturday's game, forcing 18 Murray State turnovers while committing eight. Those takeaways turned into 12 points on the other end of the floor. Mahaffey led the way individually for the Zips with two steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 42-33, Akron went on a 7-0 run with 1:59 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Johnson, to narrow its deficit to 42-40. Murray State answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Zips down 47-42 entering halftime.
Murray State kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 111-91 advantage before Akron went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Zach Halligan's layup, to shrink the deficit to 111-96 with 1:18 to go in the contest. The Zips were unable to cut further into the deficit by the end of the game, losing 115-100. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 34 of its 58 total points.
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Game Notes
» Akron recorded 19 total assists in the game.» The Akron bench made an impact by adding 42 points to its scoring output.
» Sharron Young and Halil Barre came off the bench to score 20 and 10 points, respectively.
» The Zips dominated the turnover battle, forcing 18 Murray State giveaways while committing only eight.
» The Akron defense forced 18 turnovers.
» Akron turned the ball over eight times while dishing out 19 assists.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
» Tavari Johnson had a game-high 28 points and Sharron Young added 20.
» Akron got six rebounds from both Evan Mahaffey and Eric Mahaffey.
What's Next
Akron returns to James A. Rhodes Arena to host Eastern Michigan on Friday, December 19 to begin conference action.
