For Akron (7-5), senior Jimond Ivey led the scoring efforts with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Juniors Daniel Utomi and Channel Banks followed with double figures in scoring as Utomi recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Banks finished with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc.
Nevada (12-0) remained undefeated behind 19 points from each Caleb Martin and Jordan Caroline. Martin added 10 rebounds to complete a double-double performance, while Jazz Johnson rounded out the team's double-digit scoring with 10 points.
The Zips controlled most of the first half with sophomore Loren Cristian Jackson opening Akron scoring on a corner 3-pointer. Jackson delivered again for the Zips first lead 6-3, and Utomi followed with an old-fashioned 3-point play for a 9-3 advantage at the 15-minute mark.
The Zips continued to play with the lead as Banks, Utomi and Ivey connected from deep mixed with a baseline jumper from Ivey. With 5:47 remaining in the first half, Akron built a nine-point lead, 20-11, but the home team didn't back down.
Nevada used three possessions to climb back into the game as Martin sent back-to-back 3-pointers through the net and Jordan followed with a third. Jordan completed an 11-0 run with a dunk, and for the first time since the opening tap, the Wolf Pack held a lead, 22-20 with 3:05 remaining.
The two teams battled back-and-forth in the closing minutes, but Nevada held a 28-25 halftime advantage. Caroline closed the period scoring the final 11 points for the Wolf Pack.
After the break, Utomi registered the first two points, 28-27, but Akron never regained control of the scoreboard. The Zips kept the game close and cut the Wolf Pack lead to three points on several occasions.
With 1:31 left to play, junior Tyler Cheese brought the Zips within three points, 60-57, for the final time on a dribble-drive down the lane. On the other end of the floor, Akron's defense held its ground, forcing a tough shot by the home team, but Akron couldn't corral the rebound. With 45 seconds on the game clock and three seconds on the shot clock, Martin knocked down a 26-foot shot to lift Nevada to its final six-point lead.
Akron won the battle of the boards 38-35 while shooting 23-of-64 (.359) from the field and 10-of-28 (.357) from deep. Nevada made 21-of-50 (.420) of its shots from the floor, while the Zips limited them to 8-of-24 (.333) shooting from deep.
The Zips will be back in action after the holiday break to close out non-conference play against Carnegie Mellon on Sunday, Dec. 30 at James A. Rhodes Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
(Courtesy of UA Athletics)