Akron Hangs on to Defeat Rival Kent State, 53-51
CLEVELAND, OHIO — The Akron Zips Men’s Basketball team were able to draw a win in the final minutes of the game and were victorious over heated rival Kent State Golden Flashes, 53-51.
“It was a grinded out typical Akron – Kent game.” Zips Head Coach Keith Dambrot said. “We did what we had to win. It was a good ball game.”
The seventh seeded Akron Zips will advance to face off with second seeded Buffalo Bulls tomorrow night in the Semifinal round of the MAC Tournament.
Pat Forsythe finished leading the Zips in scoring, with 12 points. Antino Jackson would also finish the contest with 11 points.
Kent State held the momentum for a majority of the game, but Akron was able to keep the game close, while Kent State didn’t pull any punches in response.
“It was like a trip to the dentist today.” Coach Dambrot commented on the entire feeling of the game.
The Zips were 0-3 in their first three possessions, as the Golden Flashes started off with 4-0 run in the game, however Akron halted the run with a three pointer made by Nyles Evans, and Isaiah Johnson on their next possession would hit a layup to give Akron the one point lead, 5-4.
Kent State sparked an offensive surge with ten minutes into the first half, as they finished with a 14-2 run with 2 minutes left to go in the period. Akron would however keep it to within eight as they entered halftime down 27-19.
“Both teams struggled to score.” Coach Dambrot said about the low scoring game. “It was an interesting game… we made some big shots, but we have been in a bunch of those.”
In the second half, after going 0-6 in the first half, Antino Jackson brought the game to within two with a layup with 13 minutes left in the game.
Kent State was able to match Akron offensive intensity, as Kris Brewer would hit two key free throws to give Kent State the four point lead, however, Akron’s Reggie McAdams would hit a key three to bring the game within 1, 50-51.
Deji Ibitayo and Nyles Evans would combine for 3-4 at the free throw line to give Akron the 53-51 lead late into the contest. Kent State had the basketball with 7.9 seconds left, but bobbled the inbound pass and could not send the shot to the basket in time, as Akron would walk away victorious and advance in the MAC Tournament.
Last week, Akron lost to Kent State in the season finale due to a last second layup made by the Flash’s Kris Brewer.
“Last week we played them, we made one more play than them. This week we played them, they made one more play than us.” Head Coach Rob Senderoff said after the game.
Akron will face the 2nd seed Buffalo Bulls tomorrow at 9:00 p.m in the Semifinal round of the MAC Tournament.