
While the teams combined for 172 points, UA also helped itself on the defensive end. Ohio forward AJ Clayton -- one of the league's top scorers (16.2 ppg) , was held to eight points on the night, with his only field goal coming in the second half. Akron also limited the Zips to 29 first half points while building a 15-point (44-29) lead at intermission.
Ohio connected on . . .
Senior guard Isaiah Gray, who previously played at Cornell for three season, bettered his 9.7 ppg average at UA with 22 points against Ohio. He was 7 of 7 at the foul line. Amani Lyles connected on 7 of 9 while contributing 17 off the bench, and Nate Thompson added 14.
Ohio senior guard Shereef Mitchell, who averages 8.7 ppg, led all scorers with 27 points. However, AJ Brown (15 points) was the only other Bobcat player in double figures.
Akron took the lead for good with 17:28 left in the first half and eventually expanded its advantage to 22 points. Ohio, which made 20 of 33 foul shots (to UA's 12 of 15) cut into the lead but was unable to catch the Zips.
The setback broke a six-game winning streak for Ohio. Akron has won five straight -- all MAC contests.