The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
18-4,9-1MAC
Kent State
16-6,7-3MAC
Zips Down Kent State, 69-52; Post 28th Straight Home Win
January 30 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio -Â The Akron men's basketball team recorded its 28th consecutive win at James A. Rhodes Arena while defeating Kent State 69-52 on Friday.
Akron's 28 game home winning streak currently stands as the longest in the nation. The Blue and Gold have also defeated Kent State in the previous six contests.
The Zips did a great job at limiting Kent State from deep, holding the Golden Flashes to a 4.3 percent night from 3-point range in a 1-for-23 shooting performance.
The Zips (18-4, 9-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Tavari Johnson, who had 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Bowen Hardman tacked on 15 points off of the bench. Eric Mahaffey, Evan Mahaffey and Shammah Scott all recorded nine points in the win.
Chabi Barre pulled down two offensive rebounds to pace the Akron offense which grabbed 10 boards and turned them into eight second chance points.
How It Happened
After playing to a 2-2 tie, Akron went on a 9-0 run with 16:59 left in the first half to take an 11-2 lead. The Zips then maintained that lead and entered halftime with a 38-29 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down six shots to account for 18 of its 38 points.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 12-0 run, finished off by Hardman's three, to grow the lead to 50-33 with 12:25 to go in the contest. The Zips held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 69-52 win. Akron shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting five shots from deep to score 15 of its 31 points.
Game Notes
» Akron lit it up from three point land, knocking down 11 treys in the game.» The Zips held the Golden Flashes to only 28.4 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron never trailed on the way to a 69-52 victory.
» Akron recorded 17 total assists in the game.
» Akron had a great day defensively, holding Kent State to 4 percent from beyond the arc on 23 attempts.
» The Akron bench made an impact by scoring 36 points to its scoring output.
» The Akron defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Tavari Johnson led the Zips with 16 points.
» Akron got a team-high nine rebounds from Tavari Johnson.
What's Next?
Akron hits the road to battle Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, February 3 for a 6:30 p.m. start.
