AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips snapped a two-game losing skid with a hard-fought win over Charleston Southern, a member of the Big South, winning 82-58 in their final game of the 2015 NIT Season Tip-Off on Friday at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Four players scored in double figures for Akron. Freshman guard Josh Williams and senior wing Reggie McAdams both scored 14 points. Sophomore guard Aaron Jackson contributed 13 points, while senior center Pat Forsythe was one rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.
The Zips (4-2) opened up the game with back-to-back three-pointers from sophomore guard Antino Jackson and McAdams to take an early 6-2 lead. Akron pushed its lead to double digits over the next four minutes after another 3-pointer from Aaron Jackson.
From there, CSU seized the momentum and brought the game back within five points after a layup by Ugo Mmonu at the 13:22 mark. However, a shot by Williams from beyond the arc stopped the spurt and gave the hosts an 18-10 lead. Despite shooting just 36-percent (14-for-39), the Zips closed out the first half leading 38-27 heading into intermission.
The Bucs were able to weather the initial storm and fought back in the beginning of the second half to cut the Akron lead 40-38 after a layup by Patrick Wallace with 17:11 left to go in the game. Once again the two teams traded baskets until the Zips went on an 11-0 run capped by a three-point play from Forsythe. The Zips never looked back from there, leading by as many as 26 points leaving the final margin at 82-58.
Both teams struggled from the field as Akron shot 41-percent (28-for-68) compared to Charleston's 24-for-53 (45-percent) from the field. The Zips went 43-percent (15-for-35) from three-point range while the Bucs went 7-for-19 (37-percent).
UA forced 18 CSU turnovers in the game, which resulted in a 29-4 edge in points off. Akron also took a 38-33 advantage in rebounds, as well as outscoring CSU 11-3 at the free throw line.
Armel Potter, a freshman guard, scored a team-high 18 points and had two assists, while teammate Patrick Wallace chipped in 14 points and three rebounds for the Buccaneers.
The Zips will continue their home stand Wednesday, Dec. 2, when they play host to Coppin State at 8 p.m. at James A. Rhodes Arena.
(Courtesy of UA Athletics)