Recap courtesy of Akron Athletic Communications
Akron 93, Eastern Michigan 72
Box Score
AKRON, Ohio - Tavari Johnson led the Zips with 25 points while Amani Lyles and Evan Mahaffey both recorded double-doubles to help lead the Akron men's basketball team to a 93-72 victory over Eastern Michigan at home on Friday.
Akron has now won their last eight Mid-American Conference openers under John Groce and are 26-8 since joining the MAC in 1992.
The Zips (9-3, 1-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Johnson, who had 25 points, five assists and four steals. Lyles tacked on a double-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds while adding four assists and two blocks. Evan Mahaffey chipped in with a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds while adding four assists and one steal.
Akron out-rebounded Eastern Michigan 44-36 in Friday's game, paced by Lyles' 12 boards. The Zips also pulled down 14 offensive rebounds and scored 18 second chance points.
The Akron defense held Eastern Michigan shooters to just 39.1 percent from the field, including 26.3 percent from three-point range.
Akron shared the ball well against the Eagles, recording 22 assists on 39 made baskets. Tavari Johnson led the Zips with five assists while Lyles and Mahaffey added four assists each.
After jumping out to a 32-27 advantage, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 5:08 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Bowen Hardman, to increase its lead to 40-27. The Zips then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 48-34 advantage. Akron did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 34 of its 48 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 74-53 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Lyles' layup, to grow the lead to 81-53 with 6:11 to go in the contest. The Eagles narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 93-72 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 36 of its 45 points in the lane.
Akron returns to James A. Rhodes Arena on Monday, December 29 when Concord comes to town for a 7 p.m. start.
