The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
20-5,11-1MAC
UMass
15-11,6-7MAC
Zips Score 55 in the Second Half to Beat UMass 99-92; Record 29th Straight Home Win
February 14 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio -The Akron men's basketball team used a 55-point second half to secure a 99-92 win over the UMass Minutemen at home Friday.
Akron has now won 29 straight games at James A. Rhodes Arena, 10 conference games in a row and has notched its fifth straight season with at least 20 wins.
The Zips (20-5, 11-1) had four players score in double figures, led by Tavari Johnson, who had 23 points and four assists. Amani Lyles tacked on 19 points, Shammah Scott added 14 points, while Evan Mahaffey notched 11 points, three steals, two rebounds and two assists.
Johnson also moved into sixth for career assists, passing Nate Barnett (1972-75). With his 23 points, he also moved to 23rd on the all-time scoring list, now recording 1,246 career points as a Zip.
Akron recorded its 17th game with 85 or more points, moving to 15-2 on the season and 104-22 under head coach John Groce.
The Zips converted their free throw opportunities, going 38-of-43, just two shy of the school record of 40 made FT against Marietta on Dec. 12, 1956.
Akron grabbed 34 rebounds in Friday's game compared to UMass' 29, led by Eric Mahaffey's 11 boards.
Akron forced 16 UMass turnovers while committing 11 themselves in Friday's game. The Zips turned those takeaways into 24 points on the other end of the floor. Evan Mahaffey led the way individually with three steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 11-6, Akron went on a 15-0 run with 16:16 left in the first half to take a 21-11 lead. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 44-43 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down six shots to account for 18 of its 44 points.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 66-63 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Lyles' three, to grow the lead to 73-63 with 10:40 to go in the contest. The Minutemen narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 99-92 win. Akron capitalized on 10 UMass turnovers in the period, collecting 16 points off those turnovers.
Game Notes
» Akron lit it up from three point land, knocking down 11 treys in the game.» Akron never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Akron tallied 16 total assists in the game.
» The Akron bench came alive by adding 37 points to its scoring output.
» Akron had a 34-29 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 16 turnovers.
» Tavari Johnson led the Zips with a game-high 23 points.
» Akron got a game-high 11 rebounds from Eric Mahaffey.
What's Next?
The Zips return to the road as it battles Western Michigan on Tuesday, February 17 at 7 p.m.
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