The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
2-2,0-0MAC
Lamar
1-3,0-0Southland
Zips Post 79-72 Victory Over Lamar to Open the Akron Basketball Classic
November 22 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio -Â The Akron men's basketball team opened the Akron Basketball Classic with a 79-72 victory over the Lamar Cardinals at James A. Rhodes Arena on Friday.Â
The Zips (2-2) had three players score in double figures, led by Tavari Johnson, who had 17 points, four assists and two steals. Amani Lyles added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds and Isaiah Gray chipped with 10 points.
Led by Lyles' six offensive rebounds, Akron did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 21 boards that resulted in seven second chance points. Gray collected five offensive boards while Marvin Musiime-Kamali and James Okonkwo each pulled in three.
Akron forced 19 Lamar turnovers while committing 10 themselves in Friday's game. The Zips turned those takeaways into 23 points on the offensive end of the floor. Josiah Harris' two steals led the way for Akron.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 12-7 advantage, Akron went on a 9-0 run with 10:32 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Nate Johnson, to increase its lead to 21-7. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 35-23 advantage. Akron did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 20 of its 35 points close to the basket.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 76-62 with 1:32 to go in the contest. The Cardinals narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 79-72 win. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 19 of its 44 total points.
Game Notes
» Amani Lyles notched a double-double for the Zips with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
» Akron never trailed on the way to a 79-72 victory.
» The Akron bench came alive by adding 24 points to its scoring output.
» Akron had a 44-40 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 21 offensive boards in the game.
» Tavari Johnson led the Zips with a game-high 17 points.
» Akron got a game-high 11 rebounds from Amani Lyles.
What's Next?
Akron hosts Nebraska Omaha for its second game of the Akron Basketball Classic on Saturday, November 23 for a 4 p.m. start.
