The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
26-6,17-1MAC
Bowling Green
14-18,8-10MAC
Zips Advance to MAC Semifinals; Drop Bowling Green 96-67
March 13 | Men's Basketball
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Akron men's basketball team advanced to the Mid-American Conference Tournament Semifinals after defeating Bowling Green 96-67 at Rocket Arena on Thursday.
With the 29-point margin of victory, Akron tied its MAC Tournament record for largest margin of victory. The last time Akron beat a team by 29 points was Central Michigan in the 2007 tournament. The Zips also set a new program MAC Tournament record for most 3-pointers made with 16 falling against the Falcons. Akron's previous high (14) was set against Northern Illinois in the 2015 tournament.
Six Zips put up double-digit points in the win. Akron was led by Bowen Hardman, who had 17 points. Seth Wilson added 15 points and two steals and Tavari Johnson chipped in as well with 14 points, seven assists and two steals.
James Okonkwo pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead the Akron offense which grabbed 10 boards and turned them into 13 second chance points.
The Akron defense caused its share of mistakes in Thursday's game, forcing 22 Bowling Green turnovers while committing nine. Those takeaways turned into 32 points on the other end of the floor. Sharron Young led the way individually for the Zips with four steals.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 9-6 advantage, Akron went on a 9-0 run with 16:46 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Hardman, to increase its lead to 18-6. The Zips then maintained that lead and entered halftime with a 42-30 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down 11 shots to account for 33 of its 42 points.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 77-49 before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Shammah Scott's layup, to grow the lead to 85-49 with 7:06 to go in the contest. The Falcons narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 96-67 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 30 of its 54 points in the lane.
Game Notes
» The Zips shot well from three point range, knocking down 16 of 39 long range attempts.» Akron never trailed on the way to a 96-67 victory.
» Akron tallied 21 total assists in the game.
» The Akron bench made an impact by scoring 45 points to its scoring output.
» Six Akron players scored 10 or more points.
» Bowen Hardman and Shammah Scott came off the bench to score 17 and 14 points, respectively.
» The Zips turned 22 turnovers into 32 points on the offensive end.
» The Zips forced 22 Bowling Green turnovers while committing only nine on the other end.
» The Akron defense forced 22 turnovers.
» The Zips were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording six blocks as a team.
» Akron turned the ball over nine times while dishing out 21 assists.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Bowen Hardman led the Zips with 17 points.
» Akron got a game-high eight rebounds from both Nate Johnson and James Okonkwo.
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What's Next?
The Zips will battle either Toledo or Ohio on Friday, March 14 at 5 p.m. in the MAC Semifinals.
