The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
7-5,0-0MAC
Princeton
10-4,0-0Ivy League
Akron Falls 76-75 to Princeton
December 30 | Men's Basketball
PRINCETON, NJ --The Akron men's basketball team fell to the Princeton Tigers 76-75 on the road Monday on a 3-point basket with under two seconds to go.
The Zips (7-5) had three players score in double figures, led by Nate Johnson, who had 17 points and two blocks. James Okonkwo added a double-double off of the bench with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Isaiah Gray chipped in as well with 15 points and two steals.
Led by Okonkwo's five offensive rebounds, Akron did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 10 boards that resulted in 11 second chance points.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 21-18 advantage, Akron went on a 7-0 run with 8:07 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Sharron Young, to increase its lead to 28-18. The Zips then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 41-30 advantage. Akron got a great contribution from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 19 of its 41 total points.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run to grow the lead to 66-53 with 8:05 to go in the contest. Princeton then asserted control, outscoring the Zips 23-9 the rest of the way to hand Akron the 76-75 loss. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 14 of its 34 total points.
Game Notes
» James Okonkwo notched a double-double for the Zips with 15 points and 10 rebounds.» Akron lost on a last-second shot by Dalen Davis.
» The Akron bench came alive by scoring 33 points to its scoring output.
» Akron lost despite a 37-29 rebounding advantage.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Nate Johnson led the Zips with 17 points.
» Akron got a game-high 10 rebounds from James Okonkwo.
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What's Next?
Akron begins #MACtion on Friday, January 3, for a 6 p.m. start at Bowling Green.
