AKRON, OHIO – After losing all three game at the Diamond Head Coassic in Hawaii, The Akron Zips needed some momentum going into Mid-American Conference play next week.
The tonic for their island woes in was the Mountain Lions of Concord University -- and maybe a helping of cold weather. Akron (7-5) dominated the Division II school, easily picking up a 86-49 victory Friday night at Rhodes Arena.
Akron remained . . .
“We practiced well coming back from Hawaii and our guys had a little bit of an edge coming into this game.” Groce said. “
Junior Jimond Ivey and graduate Malcolm Divivier led all scorers in the contest with 24 points each. Duvivier, who played four seasons and earning his degree at Oregon State went 7-of-11 from three-point range while adding six assists. Daniel Utomi had 15 and pulled down 10 rebounds.
Concord (8-4) a school of 3,000 students located in Athens, West Virginia, played its first game this season against Division I competition and saw its five game winning streak come to an end.Junior Tommy Bolte was the only Lion in double figures, registering 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
UA led from the game’s first basket, a three-pointer from the left corner by Ivey, and pulled away from that point onn.
The game was effectively over late in the first half when the visitors were held without a field goal for over six minutes. UA held a 31-13 lead at intermission.
It was more of the same in the second half as the Zips used their height and skills to deny Concord have sustained offensive traction. Akron dominated the rebound battle 48-33, with three players, sophomore Emmanuel Olojakpoke pulled down 11 to lead the squad. Utomi, and freshman Eric Parrish, each had 10.
In fact, the visitors made only 5-of-33 shots from the field in the opening half failing to make a basket from beyond the arc until the 11:34 mark of the second half.
The game’s biggest differential was 43 points on two occasions the, last being 82-39 on a pair of free throws by Ivey before Concord had a 10-4 spurt at the end. It was their longest run of the contest.
“We are looking forward to the challenge (Of MAC play) starting on Tuesday night.” Groce said.