The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
21-5,13-0MAC
Northern Illinois
5-21,1-12MAC
Zips Take Down NIU, 73-63; Move to 14-0 at the JAR
February 18 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron men's basketball team defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies 73-63 at a jam packed James A. Rhodes Arena on Enrique Freeman night Tuesday evening.
Honoring the recent Indiana Pacers draft pick, the Zips honored Enrique Freeman by hoisting his No. 25 to the rafters at halftime.
Akron also moved to 14-0 at the JAR while staying perfect in Mid-American Conference play. The Zips have tied the program record for the best start to begin conference play with it's 13-0 conference record. The only other Akron squad to record this feat was the 2012-13 team.
The Zips put the icing on the cake when Shammah Scott hit a dagger 3-pointer with 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter to put Akron ahead 69-60.
The Zips (21-5, 13-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Tavari Johnson, who had 15 points and six rebounds. Scott tacked on 15 points and four assists from the bench and Nate Johnson chipped in with 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals.
Akron utilized great ball movement in Tuesday's game, piling up 15 assists on 24 made field goals. Scott's four assists led the distribution list for the Zips.
The Akron defense held Northern Illinois shooters to only 35 percent from the field, including 25.7 percent from three-point range. The Huskies did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only six offensive rebounds and scored six second chance points while Akron pulled down 34 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After playing to a 2-2 tie, Akron went on a 10-0 run with 17:46 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Nate Johnson, to take a 12-2 lead. The Zips then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 31-28.
Akron came out of halftime clicking on all cylinders, going on an 8-0 run to seize a 36-31 lead with 16:13 to go in the contest. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 73-63 win. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 21 of its 45 total points.
Game Notes
» The Zips held the Huskies to only 35 percent shooting from the field.» Akron recorded 15 total assists in the game.
» The Akron bench came alive by adding 28 points to its scoring output.
» Akron had a 42-35 edge on the boards in the win.
» Tavari Johnson and Shammah Scott led the Zips with 15 points apiece.
» Akron got a team-high eight rebounds from Nate Johnson.
What's Next?
The Zips travel to Athens, Ohio., to battle the Ohio Bobcats on Saturday, February 22. The two schools will also be featured on ESPN2.
