Sports
Instant Reaction: First Half – Akron 41, Ohio 36
< < Back toOhio Men’s Basketball (15-5, 6-0 MAC) rode a seven-game win streak into Akron Saturday to take on the Zips (16-4, 7-0) in a battle for first place in the MAC standings.
FIRST HALF
Akron 41, Ohio 36
Ohio Bobcats
Reggie Keely: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2-3 field goals
Nick Kellogg: 7 points, 2 assists, 3-5 field goals
Akron Zips
Alex Abreu: 12 points, 3 assists, 5-5 field goals
Zeke Marshall: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 4-4 field goals
Off and Running: From the start, Ohio played with a level of composure and energy that it has struggled to show on the road this season. The Bobcats went on an early 14-0 run to establish a double-digit lead within the first eight minutes of the game.
On a Roll: The combination of D.J. Cooper and Reggie Keely on the pick-and-roll gave Akron problems early in the game. The seniors connected twice during Ohio’s early run for easy buckets. Keely had 7 points in the first half; Cooper had points and # assists.
Akron Answers: The MAC-leading Zips executed a run of their own to end the half, beginning on a Nick Harney layup at the 7:26 mark in the first half. Another Harney layup at the 5:14 mark cut Ohio’s lead, which was as large as 13 points, down to 5, electrifying the crowd at Rhodes Arena. An Alex Abreu 3 at the 1:49 mark gave the Zips their first lead of the game and further ignited the home crowd.
Key Stats: Ohio shot unbelievably well from the floor to start the game, connecting on 11 of its first 14 field goal attempts. The Bobcats, however, struggled on the defensive glass. Akron compiled 6 offensive rebounds that led to 8 second chance points in the first frame of play.
Photo Credit: Kate Hiller