MIAMI BASKETBALL

Akron deals RedHawks first MAC loss

MU unable to contain Zips offense

By MIKE SMITH
AKRON, OH -- A highly anticipated battle between the MAC's mid-season Titans left one Titan and one Titanic as Akron (14-5, 7-0 MAC) blasted Miami (14-5, 6-1 MAC) 102-74 Saturday at Rhodes Arena. 

Both teams owned 6-0 MAC records, and MU rode an eight-game win streak into the matchup. Akron remains atop the conference, while Miami is alone in second. Ohio and Toledo are third with 5-2 league marks. 

Akron took control early and . . . 

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. . . cruised to victory, with most statistics supporting a dominating performance. 
• The Zips shot 57.1 percent from the field and 50 percent (10 of 20) from beyond the arc in the first half. That allowed them to double up MU on field goals (20-10), including a 10-3 edge in 3-point goals before intermission. 
• Akron out-rebounded Miami 25-12 in the first 20 minutes

The hosting Zips went in front for good when Tavari Johnson hit a triple at 15:26. Five different UA players would score from long distance in the first half, with three hitting multiple treys. Meanwhile, the Zips also blitzed Miami's defense inside with a 20-8 advantage on points in the paint and 13-5 edge in second chance points during the opening stanza. 

Akron was already up 21-11 midway through the period when it went on a 15-2 run. Miami had five field goals to its credit while looking at a 36-13 deficit on the scoreboard. UA took a 52-29 lead to intermission. It's largest lead on the day was 37 points (68-31) with 15:29 remaining in the second half. 

The final score marked Akron's fourth game this year in which it reached the century mark. It has scored at least 90 points in each of the last three games and has been below 85 just once in MAC play. Miami's 75 points were its second lowest in MAC play. The RedHawks downed Kent State 70-61 Jan. 18.

Tavari Johnson led six Zips in double figures with 15 points. Nate Johnson and Seth Wilson contributed 14 apiece, followed by Isaiah Gray (13), Bowen Hardman (12) and Amani Lyles (10). 

Peter Suder was the only RedHawk starter to reach double figures, sinking 8 of 12 from the field on the way to 18 points. The other four starters combined for 20 points. Kam Craft provided nine of those while hitting 3 of 5 trey attempts. 

Brant Byers made 5 of 9 shots while scoring 14 points in 18 minutes off the bench. Evan Ipsaro added 12 points, with five coming at the line. 

Miami returns home for two games next week. Eastern Michigan visits Tuesday (7 p.m.), while Ohio comes to oxford Satuday (3:30 p.m.).

Akron hits the road for games at Northern Illinois Tuesday (7 p.m.) and Kent State Friday (7 p.m.).