The University of Akron Athletics
Monday, November 2
Lafayette, LA
8:00 PM
University of Akron
1-0,0-0MAC
75
at
61
Louisiana
0-1,0-0Sun Belt
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 46 | 29 | 75 |
| Louisiana | 29 | 32 | 61 |
November 02 | Men's Basketball
LAFAYETTE, La. – The University of Akron men's basketball team opened the 2026-27 season with a 75-61 victory over Louisiana on Monday night at the Cajundome, giving head coach Dustin Ford his first career win as a collegiate head coach.
The Ford Era started with a win as the Zips were 3-3 in MAC-SBC Challenge series, winning all three games at home. Not only did Ford record his first career victory as a head coach, he led the Akron to its first win on the road in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
The Zips (1-0) got off to a fast start, building an early lead and carrying a 46-29 advantage into halftime. Akron maintained control throughout the second half to secure the 14-point road victory and begin the season on a winning note.
Ty Pence led Akron with 19 points, adding eight rebounds and two assists. Tahj Staveskie and Evan Mahaffey each scored 16 points, while Mahaffey recorded a double-double with a game-high 11 rebounds. Staveskie connected on five 3-pointers, and Pence finished 6-of-12 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 at the free-throw line.
Akron established its presence early, opening the contest with an 8-0 run. The Zips continued to build their advantage, shooting 53.6 percent from the field in the first half and taking a 17-point lead into the locker room.
Louisiana made a push after the break, but Akron answered to maintain a comfortable cushion. The Zips finished 23-of-50 from the floor (46.0 percent), knocked down 10 3-pointers and converted 19-of-23 free throws (82.6 percent).
The Zips also controlled the glass, outrebounding Louisiana 45-29, including 11 offensive rebounds. Akron's defensive effort limited the Ragin' Cajuns to 28.6 percent shooting from the field (18-of-63).
Louisiana was led by Jamyron Keller, who scored 26 points, while Dani Pounds added 15 and Trent Middleton Jr. finished with 14.
As noted in Akron's coaching history, former head coach John Groce opened his Akron tenure with a 67-57 victory over Cleveland State on Nov. 11, 2017. Groce was the first Akron head coach since Bob Huggins in the 1984-85 season to win his coaching debut with the Zips. Huggins began his Akron career with a 64-57 victory over Western Illinois.
With Monday's 75-61 victory, Ford becomes the latest Akron head coach to open his tenure with a win, becoming the 11th coach in Akron history to accomplish the milestone.
The Akron Zips will play host to Muskingum on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at James A. Rhodes Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The championship banner and ring ceremony will take place prior to the game.
AKRON BASKETBALL TICKETS
Akron basketball season tickets and single-game tickets are available now at GoZips.com/Tickets or by calling or texting the Akron ticket office at 888-99-AKRON (25766). Fans also can visit The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field, located at 375 E. Exchange St. near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SAVE WITH GROUPS
Group experiences for the 2026-27 season also are available. Individual and corporate groups can plan a memorable experience at Akron basketball home games by visiting the Akron Athletics ticket page. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for groups of 10 or more. Fan experiences are available on a first-come, first-served basis for Akron's home basketball games throughout the 2026-27 season.
The Ford Era started with a win as the Zips were 3-3 in MAC-SBC Challenge series, winning all three games at home. Not only did Ford record his first career victory as a head coach, he led the Akron to its first win on the road in the MAC-SBC Challenge.
The Zips (1-0) got off to a fast start, building an early lead and carrying a 46-29 advantage into halftime. Akron maintained control throughout the second half to secure the 14-point road victory and begin the season on a winning note.
Ty Pence led Akron with 19 points, adding eight rebounds and two assists. Tahj Staveskie and Evan Mahaffey each scored 16 points, while Mahaffey recorded a double-double with a game-high 11 rebounds. Staveskie connected on five 3-pointers, and Pence finished 6-of-12 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 at the free-throw line.
Akron established its presence early, opening the contest with an 8-0 run. The Zips continued to build their advantage, shooting 53.6 percent from the field in the first half and taking a 17-point lead into the locker room.
Louisiana made a push after the break, but Akron answered to maintain a comfortable cushion. The Zips finished 23-of-50 from the floor (46.0 percent), knocked down 10 3-pointers and converted 19-of-23 free throws (82.6 percent).
The Zips also controlled the glass, outrebounding Louisiana 45-29, including 11 offensive rebounds. Akron's defensive effort limited the Ragin' Cajuns to 28.6 percent shooting from the field (18-of-63).
Louisiana was led by Jamyron Keller, who scored 26 points, while Dani Pounds added 15 and Trent Middleton Jr. finished with 14.
Ford Makes Akron History
Ford's first victory as Akron's head coach places him among a an 11-member group of Zips coaches to begin their Akron careers with a win.As noted in Akron's coaching history, former head coach John Groce opened his Akron tenure with a 67-57 victory over Cleveland State on Nov. 11, 2017. Groce was the first Akron head coach since Bob Huggins in the 1984-85 season to win his coaching debut with the Zips. Huggins began his Akron career with a 64-57 victory over Western Illinois.
With Monday's 75-61 victory, Ford becomes the latest Akron head coach to open his tenure with a win, becoming the 11th coach in Akron history to accomplish the milestone.
Game Notes
- Akron improved to 1-0 overall and opened the season with a road victory.
- Dustin Ford earned his first career win as Akron's head coach.
- Ty Pence led all Zips with 19 points and added eight rebounds.
- Tahj Staveskie and Evan Mahaffey scored 16 points apiece.
- Mahaffey recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
- Staveskie led Akron with five made 3-pointers.
- Akron outrebounded Louisiana 45-29.
- The Zips led for the entire game and never faced a tie or a lead change.
By the Numbers
- 75: Akron's points
- 45: Team rebounds
- 29: Louisiana rebounds
- 10: Akron 3-pointers
- 46: First-half points for the Zips
- 19: Points by Ty Pence
- 16: Points each by Tahj Staveskie and Evan Mahaffey
The Akron Zips will play host to Muskingum on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at James A. Rhodes Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The championship banner and ring ceremony will take place prior to the game.
AKRON BASKETBALL TICKETS
Akron basketball season tickets and single-game tickets are available now at GoZips.com/Tickets or by calling or texting the Akron ticket office at 888-99-AKRON (25766). Fans also can visit The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Health Field, located at 375 E. Exchange St. near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SAVE WITH GROUPS
Group experiences for the 2026-27 season also are available. Individual and corporate groups can plan a memorable experience at Akron basketball home games by visiting the Akron Athletics ticket page. Discounted group tickets and fan experiences are available for groups of 10 or more. Fan experiences are available on a first-come, first-served basis for Akron's home basketball games throughout the 2026-27 season.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
UA
LA
FG%
.460
.286
3FG%
.345
.321
FT%
.826
.727
RB
45
29
TO
16
7
STL
2
8
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
5
FTM
1
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
3
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