Akron remains undefeated in MAC play
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Senior Kwan Cheatham, Jr. recorded his fifth double-double of the season while leading the Akron Zips to their 10th straight win in a 90-87 victory over Western Michigan at University Arena on Tuesday night.
Cheatham poured in 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his third double-double in five games.
Four other Zips finished with . . .
Cheatham poured in 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his third double-double in five games.
Four other Zips finished with . . .
. . . double figures in scoring as junior Noah Robotham followed with 14 points. Senior Isaiah Johnson and sophomore Jimond Ivey recorded 13 points apiece, while junior Antino Jackson completed UA’sdouble-figure scoring with 12 points. Sophomore Josh Williams added nine points.
The Broncos were led by Thomas Wilder with a game-high 25 points, followed by a trio of 14-point scorers in Tucker Haymond, Reggie Jones, and Brandon Johnson.
Akron (17-3, 7-0 MAC) finished the game shooting 54.7 percent from the field (29-of-53) and 52.2 percent from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 12-of-23 from downtown. The Zips added a 74.1 percent effort from the charity stripe (20-of-27). Western Michigan (6-13, 2-5 MAC) held a 37-31 advantage on the glass and won the turnover battle 6-8.
WMU started the scoring, but only held the lead for 27 seconds before Johnson tied the game with an inside post move. Ivey followed with a layup and a 3-pointer from the corner, which sparked a 12-2 run that was capped by a Williams triple from the top of the key.
Wilder answered with a 3-pointer, cutting the Zips' 10-point lead to seven, 14-7, at the 15:15 mark.
Akron responded with an 11-1 run, starting with an alley-oop to freshman Emmanuel Olojakpoke. The Zips then added three long distance buckets before WMU was able to put the ball in the net. Akron led 25-8 with 11:55 left in the first half.
After a pair of Broncos' free throws, the Zips 3-point barrage continued. The Zips buried four-straight long-range shots, including two by Cheatham. Williams and freshman Daniel Utomi chipped in one each as Akron extended its lead to 23 points, 39-16, on 9-of-12 behind the 3-point arc. Western Michigan did not score a field goal during the run that lasted 5:15.
The Zips held a 20-point advantage until the Broncos ended the half with a 3-pointer and old-fashioned 3-point play, mixed with a second Olojakpoke dunk. Akron led 50-34 at the break. It was the sixth time this season Akron scored 50 in a half and second time scoring 50 points in the first half.
The Zips shot 58.8 percent from the field (20-of-34) and finished shooting 9-of-16 from long distance for a 56.3 percentage from downtown.
In the second half, Akron increased the lead to 20 points by the 11-minute mark, 69-49. However, the Broncos began to chip away at the lead, cutting the deficit to single digits with 2:13 left to play.
Akron responded with three free throws by Robotham for an 85-73 lead and closed the game with five additional free throws to remain undefeated in Mid-American Conference play.
The Zips have now won 10 consecutive regular season MAC games, dating back to the 2015-16 season which is the second longest MAC winning streak in Dambrot's tenure. The 2006-07 Zips won nine straight games in a single season after dropping the MAC opener to Ohio. However, the 2012-13 Zips, who won 19-straight games, rattled off 13 consecutive league games during that run.
In addition, this is the second-straight season the Zips have posted 10-straight victories, tying the second longest single-season streak in Dambrot's tenure.
Akron will be back in action at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday, Jan. 28 against Buffalo at 7:30 p.m. ET. Western Michigan will be at Ball State (1:00 p.m. ET).
(Courtesy of UA Athletics)
The Broncos were led by Thomas Wilder with a game-high 25 points, followed by a trio of 14-point scorers in Tucker Haymond, Reggie Jones, and Brandon Johnson.
Akron (17-3, 7-0 MAC) finished the game shooting 54.7 percent from the field (29-of-53) and 52.2 percent from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 12-of-23 from downtown. The Zips added a 74.1 percent effort from the charity stripe (20-of-27). Western Michigan (6-13, 2-5 MAC) held a 37-31 advantage on the glass and won the turnover battle 6-8.
WMU started the scoring, but only held the lead for 27 seconds before Johnson tied the game with an inside post move. Ivey followed with a layup and a 3-pointer from the corner, which sparked a 12-2 run that was capped by a Williams triple from the top of the key.
Wilder answered with a 3-pointer, cutting the Zips' 10-point lead to seven, 14-7, at the 15:15 mark.
Akron responded with an 11-1 run, starting with an alley-oop to freshman Emmanuel Olojakpoke. The Zips then added three long distance buckets before WMU was able to put the ball in the net. Akron led 25-8 with 11:55 left in the first half.
After a pair of Broncos' free throws, the Zips 3-point barrage continued. The Zips buried four-straight long-range shots, including two by Cheatham. Williams and freshman Daniel Utomi chipped in one each as Akron extended its lead to 23 points, 39-16, on 9-of-12 behind the 3-point arc. Western Michigan did not score a field goal during the run that lasted 5:15.
The Zips held a 20-point advantage until the Broncos ended the half with a 3-pointer and old-fashioned 3-point play, mixed with a second Olojakpoke dunk. Akron led 50-34 at the break. It was the sixth time this season Akron scored 50 in a half and second time scoring 50 points in the first half.
The Zips shot 58.8 percent from the field (20-of-34) and finished shooting 9-of-16 from long distance for a 56.3 percentage from downtown.
In the second half, Akron increased the lead to 20 points by the 11-minute mark, 69-49. However, the Broncos began to chip away at the lead, cutting the deficit to single digits with 2:13 left to play.
Akron responded with three free throws by Robotham for an 85-73 lead and closed the game with five additional free throws to remain undefeated in Mid-American Conference play.
The Zips have now won 10 consecutive regular season MAC games, dating back to the 2015-16 season which is the second longest MAC winning streak in Dambrot's tenure. The 2006-07 Zips won nine straight games in a single season after dropping the MAC opener to Ohio. However, the 2012-13 Zips, who won 19-straight games, rattled off 13 consecutive league games during that run.
In addition, this is the second-straight season the Zips have posted 10-straight victories, tying the second longest single-season streak in Dambrot's tenure.
Akron will be back in action at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday, Jan. 28 against Buffalo at 7:30 p.m. ET. Western Michigan will be at Ball State (1:00 p.m. ET).
(Courtesy of UA Athletics)
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