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Four Zips Score in Double Figures; Zips Roll Past Ohio 86-65 on National TV
January 23 | Men's Basketball
ATHENS, Ohio - The Akron men's basketball team took down the Ohio Bobcats, 86-65, on ESPNU at the Ohio Convocation Center Friday night to cap off a 2-0 week.
Akron avenged its 84-67 loss to the Bobcats at the Convocation Center last season, which was also featured on the ESPN network.
The Zips (16-4, 7-1) had four players score in double figures, led by Tavari Johnson, who had 24 points and two blocks. Shammah Scott added 19 points off the bench and Amani Lyles helped out with his fifth double-double of the season after recording 13 points and 11 rebounds. Sharron Young added 11 points to the Zips victory. Akron has seen four or more players score in double figures in 16 games this season.
Lyles has scored in double figures in 15 straight games, becoming the first player since Enrique Freeman did it during the 2023-24 season. He has also recorded double-doubles in consecutive games. Johnson has recorded 20+ points in nine of his last 10 games while scoring 20 or more points in four consecutive games. Scott has scored 15 or more points in five of his last seven games.
Led by Evan Mahaffey's three offensive rebounds, Akron did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 11 boards that resulted in nine second chance points.
The Akron defense held Ohio shooters to only 32.8 percent from the field, including 23.5 percent from three-point range.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 25-18 advantage, Akron went on a 16-0 run with 7:37 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Scott, to increase its lead to 41-18. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 48-26 advantage. Akron capitalized on seven Ohio turnovers in the period, turning them into 12 points on the other end of the floor.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Scott's three, to grow the lead to 82-61 with 3:07 to go in the contest. The Zips held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 86-65 win. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 16 of its 38 total points.
Game Notes
» Amani Lyles notched a double-double for the Zips with 13 points and 11 rebounds.» The Zips held the Bobcats to only 32.8 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron never trailed on the way to an 86-65 victory.
» The Akron bench came alive by adding 28 points to its scoring output.
» Akron had a 44-30 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Zips were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Tavari Johnson led the Zips with a game-high 24 points.
» Akron got a game-high 11 rebounds from Amani Lyles.
What's Next?
Akron returns to James A. Rhodes Arena on Tuesday, January 27, for a 7 p.m. start.
