The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
15-4,6-1MAC
Buffalo
13-6,3-4MAC
Lyles and Johnson Post Career Highs in 82-63 Victory at Buffalo
January 20 | Men's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - Amani Lyles and Tavari Johnson recorded career highs in rebounds in an 82-63 win over the Buffalo Bulls Tuesday night.
The Zips (15-4, 6-1) had four players score in double figures, led by Amani Lyles, who put together a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Tavari Johnson added 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals, Evan Mahaffey chipped in with 11 points while Eric Mahaffey added 10 points, six rebounds, three steals, two assists and one block.
Akron has recorded wins over Buffalo in 10 straight contests.
Akron utilized great ball movement in Tuesday's game, piling up 21 assists on 27 made field goals. Johnson's six assists led the distribution list for the Zips while Shammah Scott also added five assists of his own. The Zips have recorded 20Â or more assists in 10 games this season and hold a 10-0 recorded when hitting that mark.
Akron's defense held Buffalo to only 35.4 percent shooting from the field, including 25 percent from beyond the arc.Â
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 6-2 advantage, Akron went on a 13-0 run with 15:18 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Eric Mahaffey, to increase its lead to 19-2. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 43-27 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down 10 shots to account for 30 of its 43 points.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on an 11-0 run, finished off by Evan Mahaffey's layup, to grow the lead to 56-30 with 16:27 to go in the contest. The Bulls narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 82-63 win. Akron got out on the break in the period, scoring 11 fast break points.
Game Notes
» Amani Lyles notched a double-double for the Zips with 18 points and 15 rebounds.» The Zips shot well from three point range, knocking down 14 of 35 long range attempts.
» The Zips held the Bulls to only 35.4 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron never trailed on the way to an 82-63 victory.
» The Zips put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 78 percent of made baskets.
» The Akron bench made an impact by adding 27 points to its scoring output.
» Akron had a 40-39 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 13 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Amani Lyles led the Zips with 18 points.
» Akron got a game-high 15 rebounds from Amani Lyles.
What's Next?
Akron stays on the road as it travels to Athens, Ohio, to battle the Ohio Bobcats on ESPNU for an 8 p.m. start.
