Kostelac, who eclipsed 20 minutes of playing time for the third straight contest, scored several key baskets late in the game on his way to 10 points and three rebounds.
Junior guard Jimond Ivey . . .
Graduate transfer guard Malcolm Duvivier had 16 points and made 4-of-6 shots from beyond the arc, while sophomore guard Daniel Utomi scored 13 points to give Akron four players in double figures. Ivey had seven points, including a clutch 3-pointer, to punctuate a 9-0 run that put Akron in front after Ohio tied the game for the final time at 58-all with 5:35 remaining on a layup by junior guard Jordan Dartis.
After trailing by double digits for much of the first half, Ohio battled its way back into the game by forcing turnovers. It pulled to within one at 42-41 with 14:55 remaining in the second half. However, Akron responded with a 10-4 run, keyed by 3-pointers by Utomi and Duvivier, bumping the lead back to seven.
The Bobcats (9-10, 2-5 MAC) were finally able to tie the game at 52-all on a long 3-pointer by junior forward Gavin Block, but UA responded once more to retake the lead and the contest was tied several more times down the stretch.
The Zips used another hot-shooting opening half to establish a large early lead, seeing their edge swell to as many as 14 at 25-11 as they capped a 12-0 run in which they made all six of their field goal attempts, along with two free throws by Duvivier.
Ohio was able to rally late in the half thanks to 12 points by freshman guard Teyvion Kirk, but after the Bobcats narrowed their deficit to four at 31-27, a three-point play by freshman guard Eric Parrish helped Akron regain some momentum and take a 36-29 edge to the locker room at intermission.
Akron benefited from avoiding the foul trouble that has plagued it in recent home games. The Zips were whistled for just 17 fouls on the night, including only seven in the first half. That limited the Bobcats to only four free throws in the opening 20 minutes and 14 overall.
Block led Ohio with 18 points and seven rebounds. Kirk contributed 16 points while dealing out six assists. Doug Taylor, a 6-9 junior forward, added 11 points, 6 rebounds and f4our blocks.
NEXT:
With the victory, Akron has won consecutive games in MAC play for the first time this season and will look to carry that momentum into its next game, which is scheduled for Saturday at noon against Ball State in Muncie, Ind.
Ohio hosts the MAC’s hottest team – Buffalo – Friday night (6:30 p.m. ET) at the Convocation Center.
(Courtesy of UA Athletics)