Castaneda Nets Career-High, Zips Lead Wire to Wire

Monday, December 19

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

7-4,0-0MAC

Maine

6-5,0-0America East

Maine

Akron

Castaneda Nets Career-High, Zips Lead Wire to Wire

December 19 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Box Score PDF

AKRON, Ohio – Fueled by 18-first half points from senior Xavier Castaneda, Akron controlled the game from the opening tap en route its fourth-straight win defeating Maine 87-55 on Monday at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Castaneda posted a game-high and career-best 33 points on 73.3 percent (11-of-15) shooting from the floor, including a sizzling 87.5 percent (7-of-8) from beyond the 3-point arc. Junior Enrique Freeman and graduate Trendon Hankerson added double-digit scoring performances in an extremely efficient fashion. Freeman shot 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from the floor for 14 points and Hankerson contributed 12 points on 60 percent (3-of-5) from the field and 66.7 percent (2-of-3) from deep as the Zips posted the best shooting effort of the season.

Collectively, Akron shot 54.4 percent (31-of-57) from the field and 55 percent (11-of-20) from long distance. The Zips also connected with 87.5 percent (14-of-16) from the charity stripe.

Akron built a 21-point halftime lead as Castaneda recorded 11 of the Zips initial 19 points for a six-point advantage midway through the first half (10:05) for a 19-13 lead. Akron used 9:55 for a 30-8 run and held the Black Bears scoreless for over four minutes in two separate stretches. Hankerson added 11 points with a perfect 3 of 3 showing from the floor, including a pair of trifectas. The Zips caused 13 turnovers and scored 16 points as a result. Akron led 44-23 at the break.

The Akron defense forced 11 additional turnovers in the second frame to finish with 24 takeaways for the game, while recording 10 steals. Castaneda, junior Greg Tribble and freshman Amani Lyles registered two steals each. The Zips also controlled the glass, outrebounding Maine 34-20 as Freeman led the way with eight rebounds.

Kellen Tynes and Kristians Feierbergs led the Black Bears with 10 points each.

Akron will be back in action on Thursday, Dec. 22 in Peoria, Ill. against Bradley. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. (ET) and 4 p.m. (CT).