The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
19-4,10-1MAC
Eastern Michigan
9-14,3-8MAC
Hardman's Game-Winner Leads Akron Past Eastern Michigan 66-64
February 03 | Men's Basketball
YPSILANTI, Mich. - Bowen Hardman hit a 3-pointer with only nine seconds remaining on the clock to put the Akron men's basketball team up for good in a 66-64 win against the Eastern Michigan Eagles on the road Tuesday.
The Zips (19-4, 10-1) had four players score in double figures, led by Tavari Johnson, who had 17 points and six rebounds. Hardman tacked on 12 points, Evan Mahaffey helped out with 12 points and two steals, while Sharron Young added 12 points, three steals and two rebounds
Amani Lyles pulled down four offensive rebounds to pace the Akron offense which grabbed 10 boards and turned them into 14 second chance points.The Zips turned 16 takeaways into 14 points on the other end of the floor. Sharron Young's three steals led the way for Akron.
Lyles's eight rebounds led the Zips while Eric Mahaffey's seven and Johnson's six were close behind.
How It Happened
After falling behind 26-24, Akron went on a 5-0 run with 4:28 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Johnson, to take a 29-26 lead. The Zips then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 31-27 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down seven shots to account for 21 of its 31 points.
Eastern Michigan proceeded to take a 52-43 lead before Akron went on an 8-0 run, finished off by Shammah Scott's three, to shrink the deficit to 52-51 with 6:41 to go in the contest. The Zips kept the rally going and took the lead for good on Hardman's three-pointer with 00:09 left for a 66-64 comeback victory. Akron made the most of seven offensive rebounds to tack on seven second chance points out of 35 total in the period.
Game Notes
» Bowen Hardman's three with 9 seconds left put Akron ahead for good.» Akron lit it up from three point land, knocking down 10 treys in the game.
» The Akron defense forced 16 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Tavari Johnson led the Zips with 17 points.
» Akron got a game-high eight rebounds from Amani Lyles.
What's Next?
Akron stays on the road when it travels to Troy, Ala., to battle the Troy Trojans on Saturday, February 7 for a 6 p.m. ET start. Akron and Troy will be featured on ESPN2.
