The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
26-5,17-1MAC
Northern Illinois
9-21,4-14MAC
Zips Record 31st Consecutive Win at the JAR; Set James A. Rhodes Arena Record For Consecutive Wins with 94-55 Win Over NIU
March 06 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron men's basketball team set a new James A. Rhodes Arena record with its 31st straight home win on Friday, March 6. The Zips took down the Northern Illinois Huskies 94-55 at the JAR behind a 66.7 percent shooting night from beyond the arc.
The previous record of 30 straight wins at the JAR was set during the 2015-17 seasons.
Akron (26-5, 17-1) had five players score in double figures, led by Bowen Hardman, who tied his career-high of 20 points. Amani Lyles tacked on 17 points and two steals and Sharron Young helped out with 12 points, six rebounds and two steals off the bench. Evan Mahaffey recorded 11 points while Tavari Johnson added 10 points.Â
The Zips also set a new program record with its 26th win of the season, setting a new program high for wins in the regular season. The previous record was set by the 2024-25 squad.
The Akron offense was strong from downtown, knocking down 18 threes on 27 attempts. Hardman hit five treys for the Zips in the contest.
Akron's defense held Northern Illinois to only 19.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 37.9 percent from the field. The Zips also limited Dylan Ducommun to 1-of-10 shooting from downtown and nine points in the game. The Huskies did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with five offensive rebounds and managed two second chance points while Akron cleared 34 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 39-27 advantage, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 1:38 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Shammah Scott, to increase its lead to 47-27, a score that would hold until halftime. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down nine shots to account for 27 of its 47 points.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 63-34 before going on a 12-0 run, finished off by Evan Mahaffey's three, to grow the lead to 75-34 with 9:46 to go in the contest. The Huskies narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 94-55 win. Akron shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting nine shots from deep to score 27 of its 47 points.
Game Notes
» The Zips were incredible from long range, knocking down 18 of 27 three point attempts.» The Zips held the Huskies to only 37.9 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron never trailed on the way to a 94-55 victory.
» Akron recorded 20 total assists in the game.
» Akron had a stellar day defensively, holding Northern Illinois to 19 percent from beyond the arc on 26 attempts.
» Five Akron players scored 10 or more points.
» Akron had a 41-23 edge on the boards in the win.
» Bowen Hardman led the Zips with a game-high 20 points.
» Akron got a game-high six rebounds from both Evan Mahaffey and Sharron Young.
What's Next?
The Akron Zips will travel to Cleveland, Ohio., to compete in the 2026 MAC Tournament as the No. 2 Seed. The first round is slated for March 12.
