The University of Akron Athletics
November 14 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio – Akron earned a hard-fought 65-63 victory over Tulane on Saturday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena, improving to 3-0 on the season and extending the nation's second longest home court winning streak to 33 games. The Zips built a 10-point halftime advantage before holding off a second-half rally by the Green Wave to remain unbeaten.
Ty Pence led Akron with 17 points, while Buddy Hammer Jr. added 11 points off the bench. Evan Mahaffey finished with 10 points, six rebounds and a team-high five assists. Chabi Barre contributed five points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Tahj Staveskie also reached double figures with 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Kamrin Oriol added five points and four assists, while Zach Halligan contributed four assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Akron established control early, building a 36-26 lead by halftime. The Zips shot 44.4 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and held Tulane to 42.3 percent shooting. Akron also controlled the glass, collecting 22 rebounds to Tulane's 15.
The Green Wave made a push after the break, gradually working their way back into the contest. Tulane's Krystian Lewis connected from beyond the arc to pull the visitors within one, 63-62, with less than two minutes remaining.
Pence converted a free throw to tie the game at 63-63, setting up a decisive defensive possession for the Zips. After Akron secured a defensive rebound, Mahaffey delivered the go-ahead basket with 52 seconds remaining, giving Akron a 65-63 advantage.
Tulane had opportunities to even the score in the closing seconds, but the Zips held firm. Mahaffey secured a defensive rebound, and Pence grabbed the final rebound after Lewis' last-second layup attempt, sealing the two-point victory.
GAME NOTES
- Akron improved to 3-0 overall and remained unbeaten at James A. Rhodes Arena.
- Ty Pence led all Akron scorers with 17 points and added five rebounds and two blocked shots.
- Buddy Hammer Jr. scored 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting in 17 minutes off the bench.
- Evan Mahaffey recorded 10 points, six rebounds and five assists, including the game-winning basket with 52 seconds remaining.
- Chabi Barre pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds in 16 minutes.
- Akron outrebounded Tulane, 46-35, and held a 36-26 advantage in points in the paint.
- The Zips finished with 20 bench points and 15 second-chance points.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 65: Akron's final point total in the two-point victory.
- 46: Team rebounds for the Zips, compared to 35 for Tulane.
- 36: Akron's points in the paint.
- 20: Bench points for Akron.
- 15: Second-chance points for the Zips.
- 15: Akron finished with 15 assists.
UP NEXT
Akron continues its 2026-27 campaign, traveling to Bucknell on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
Ty Pence led Akron with 17 points, while Buddy Hammer Jr. added 11 points off the bench. Evan Mahaffey finished with 10 points, six rebounds and a team-high five assists. Chabi Barre contributed five points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Tahj Staveskie also reached double figures with 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Kamrin Oriol added five points and four assists, while Zach Halligan contributed four assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Akron established control early, building a 36-26 lead by halftime. The Zips shot 44.4 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and held Tulane to 42.3 percent shooting. Akron also controlled the glass, collecting 22 rebounds to Tulane's 15.
The Green Wave made a push after the break, gradually working their way back into the contest. Tulane's Krystian Lewis connected from beyond the arc to pull the visitors within one, 63-62, with less than two minutes remaining.
Pence converted a free throw to tie the game at 63-63, setting up a decisive defensive possession for the Zips. After Akron secured a defensive rebound, Mahaffey delivered the go-ahead basket with 52 seconds remaining, giving Akron a 65-63 advantage.
Tulane had opportunities to even the score in the closing seconds, but the Zips held firm. Mahaffey secured a defensive rebound, and Pence grabbed the final rebound after Lewis' last-second layup attempt, sealing the two-point victory.
GAME NOTES
- Akron improved to 3-0 overall and remained unbeaten at James A. Rhodes Arena.
- Ty Pence led all Akron scorers with 17 points and added five rebounds and two blocked shots.
- Buddy Hammer Jr. scored 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting in 17 minutes off the bench.
- Evan Mahaffey recorded 10 points, six rebounds and five assists, including the game-winning basket with 52 seconds remaining.
- Chabi Barre pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds in 16 minutes.
- Akron outrebounded Tulane, 46-35, and held a 36-26 advantage in points in the paint.
- The Zips finished with 20 bench points and 15 second-chance points.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 65: Akron's final point total in the two-point victory.
- 46: Team rebounds for the Zips, compared to 35 for Tulane.
- 36: Akron's points in the paint.
- 20: Bench points for Akron.
- 15: Second-chance points for the Zips.
- 15: Akron finished with 15 assists.
UP NEXT
Akron continues its 2026-27 campaign, traveling to Bucknell on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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