The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
13-4,5-0MAC
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Western Michigan
7-10,4-1MAC
Freeman,Hunter, and Ali Lead Zips Past Broncos - Freeman Breaks 40 Year Old Record
January 16 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - Enrique Freeman, Sammy Hunter, and Ali Ali helped propel the Zips to a 50 point second half to take a 77-66 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos on Tuesday evening.
Freeman finished with a 20 point, 14 rebound double-double to break Joe Jakubick's 40 year old record for the most consecutive double-figure games in program history. Jakubick set the record with 30 straight games with 10 or more points while Freeman now has thew record with 31 and counting.
The Zips (13-4, 5-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Freeman. Sammy Hunter tacked on 19 points and Ali Ali chipped in as well with 18 points.
Akron shared the ball well in Tuesday's game, racking up 16 assists on 29 made field goals. Individually, Kaleb Thornton dished out the most for the Zips with six assists.
Akron did a great job disrupting Western Michigan shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Freeman's three rejections led the way individually for the Zips.
How It Happened
After falling behind 3-2, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 17:35 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Hunter, to take a 10-3 lead. The Zips then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 29-27.
Western Michigan kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 35-32 advantage before Akron went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Mikal Dawson's three, to seize a 38-35 lead with 15:38 to go in the contest. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 77-66 win. Akron shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting seven shots from deep to score 21 of its 50 points.
Game Notes
» Enrique Freeman notched an impressive double-double for the Zips with 20 points and 14 rebounds.» Freeman recorded his 11th consecutive double-double and 10th game of scoring 20+ points and recording 10+ rebounds.
» The Zips shot well from three point range, knocking down seven of 17 long range attempts.
» Akron recorded 16 total assists in the game.
» Akron had a 32-29 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Zips were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Enrique Freeman led the Zips with a game-high 20 points.
» Akron got a game-high 14 rebounds from Enrique Freeman.
What's Next?
The Zips travel to Kent State next to battle the Golden Flashes for the first time since the MAC Tournament last season. Akron and Kent State are set for a 7 pm matchup on ESPNU on February 19.
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