The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
17-4,8-1MAC
Toledo
11-10,5-4MAC
Zips Use 50 Point 2nd Half to Take Down Toledo, 91-81; Secure 27th Straight Home Win
January 27 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - Down 49-41 at the half, the Akron men's basketball team scored 50 points while holding Toledo to 32 in the second half to secure a 91-81 victory at James A. Rhodes Arena on Tuesday night.
With the win, Akron has secured 27 consecutive wins at the JAR. The Zips have also been victorious over Toledo in four straight games.
Akron (17-4, 8-1) had five players score in double figures, led by Tavari Johnson, who had 25 points, seven assists and two steals. Amani Lyles tacked on 19 points and four assists, Eric Mahaffey helped out with 13 points and eight rebounds off of the bench, Evan Mahaffey had 11 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals while Zach Halligan scored a career-high 10 points while adding four rebounds and a career-high three steals.
Johnson has scored 20 ore more points in five consecutive games, the second time this season he's recorded that feat. Lyles has also scored in double figures in 16 consecutive games.
Akron out-rebounded Toledo 37-25 in Tuesday's game, paced by Evan Mahaffey's nine boards. The Zips also collected 17 offensive rebounds and scored 20 second chance points.
Akron forced 15 Toledo turnovers while committing 12 themselves in Tuesday's game. The Zips turned those takeaways into 17 points on the other end of the floor. Zach Halligan led the way individually with three steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 19-17, Akron went on a 6-0 run with 13:39 left in the first half to take a 23-19 lead. The Zips then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 49-41.
Akron came out of halftime clicking on all cylinders, going on an 8-0 run to even the score at 49 all with 15:55 to go in the contest. The Zips kept the rally going and took the lead for good on Shammah Scott's layup with 03:44 left to grab the 91-81 victory. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 34 of its 50 points in the lane.
Game Notes
» Akron rallied from an eight-point 49-41 halftime deficit to pick up the win.» Akron lit it up from three point land, knocking down 10 treys in the game.
» Akron tallied 19 total assists in the game.
» Five Akron players scored 10 or more points.
» Akron had a 37-25 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Tavari Johnson led the Zips with a game-high 25 points.
» Akron got a team-high nine rebounds from Evan Mahaffey.
What's Next?
Akron stays at the JAR as rivial Kent State comes to town on Friday, January 30, for a 6 p.m. start. The rivalry game will be featured on CBSSN.
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