The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
23-5,14-1MAC
Buffalo
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Five Zips Score in Double Figures; Akron beats Buffalo 99-85 to Secure 30th Consecutive Home Win
February 24 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - Five Zips (23-5, 14-1) scored in double figures as the Akron men's basketball team defeated the Buffalo Bills 99-85 at home Tuesday.
Akron secured its 30th consecutive home win, tying the longest home winning streak at James A. Rhodes Arena. The first 30 win streak was set from 2015-17.
Tavari Johnson led the way with 23 points, going 11-of-11 from the free throw line, while adding five assists, one rebound and one steal. Evan Mahaffey notched a career-high 20 points, going 8-of-12 from the field, while adding nine rebounds, three steals and three assists. Amani Lyles also helped out with a double double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Shammah Scott supplied 13 points, three assists and two rebounds, while Eric Mahaffey gave Akron 13 points, five assists and four rebounds.
As a team, the Zips went 26-of-29 from the free throw line.
Akron forced 14 Buffalo turnovers. The Zips turned those takeaways into 22 points on the offensive end of the floor. Mahaffey's three steals led the way for Akron.
How It Happened
After falling behind 20-13, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 11:50 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Lyles, to take a 21-20 lead. The Zips then added three points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 39-35 advantage. Akron did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 22 of its 39 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 59-49 before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Mahaffey's layup, to grow the lead to 67-49 with 12:21 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 99-85 win. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 16 of its 60 total points.
Game Notes
» Amani Lyles notched a double-double for the Zips with 19 points and 10 rebounds.» The Zips shot well from three point range, knocking down nine of 21 long range attempts.
» The Zips held the Bulls to only 36.8 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Akron recorded 18 total assists in the game.
» The Akron bench came alive by adding 31 points to its scoring output.
» Five Akron players scored 10 or more points.
» Eric Mahaffey and Shammah Scott came off the bench to score 13 points apiece.
» Akron had a 38-37 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Tavari Johnson led the Zips with 23 points and Evan Mahaffey added 20.
» Akron got a game-high 10 rebounds from Amani Lyles.
What's Next?
Akron travels to battle rival Kent State on Friday, February 27, with an 8 p.m. start. The Zips and Golden Flashes will be featured on ESPNU.
