
AKRON 67, TEMPLE 65
Taking their lead from the Cleveland Browns, the Akron Zips made the conclusion to their 67-65 win over Temple much, much too exciting.
“This should have been an 11-12 point victory,” said Akron coach Keith Dambrot. “But that’s part of the learning process.”
Akron (4-1) held a 62-49 lead going into the final four minutes of the game, only to see it dissolve as Temple (2-4) launched a 16-5 run leading to the exciting conclusion that turned out on the plus side for the Zips.
“It’s a big win for us,” said Dambrot who was coaching in his 100th game for the Zips. “Anytime we win a game, it builds confidence.”
Temple started the game with an 11-4 lead. That’s when Dambrot called an early time out. “I just wanted to settle our guys down and let them understand what we had to do defensively.” The strategy apparently worked as Akron then went on a 16-0 run to take control of the game until the drama in the waning minutes.
Cedrick Middleton led the Zips with 17 points. Nick Dials had 16 and Jeremiah Wood scored 14. Akron won the battle of the boards with 35 rebounds to the Owls’ 29.
Despite the fact that free throws continue to be a problem for the Zips, who hit only 16 of 28 from the line, Dambrot doesn’t appear to be too concerned about his foul-shooting challenged club. “They’re going to make their free throws,” he added.
The Zips extended their home wining streak to 12 games and have won 42 of their last 44 games at the JAR.
Akron is now 2-0 against Temple, winning the first game in an 80-73 overtime contest in the 2006 NIT.
Only 2,309 attended the Monday night game against Temple of the Atlantic 10 conference.
Next up for Akron is Wyoming this Saturday with tipoff at 7 p.m. at the JAR, capping off this three-game homestand.
“These (Temple and Wyoming) are the types of games we need to play,” said Dambrot. “That’s what I want to do with a complete schedule.”
ZIPS MAKE OWLS SCREECH…Akron Beacon Journal
OWLS BOUNCE BACK, BUT NOT QUITE ENOUGH…The Philadelphia Inquirer
AKRON ZIPS TAKE DOWN TEMPLE…The Plain Dealer
AFTER SIX GAMES, OWLS STILL SEARCHING FOR RYTHUM…The Temple News
MEN’S BASKETBALL GETS BYE TEMPLE…GoZips.com
MEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS SHORT IN AKRON…Temple Athletics
Post-Game Quotes
Post-Game Notes
Akron-Temple Box Score
(photo: Lew Stamp, Akron Beacon Journal)
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AKRON MEN’S BASKETBALL SIGNS FIVE TO 2008-09 CLASS
University of Akron head men’s basketball coach Keith Dambrot announced on Monday that Nikola Cvetinovic, Alex Sullivan, Andrew Parrish, Brett McClanahan and Anthony “Humpty” Hitchens have signed national letters of intent to play at the school starting in the 2008-09 season. All five are currently in their senior season of high school. GoZips.com has the details.
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SOLDIER DIES IN CRASH INVOLVING AKRON FOOTBALL PLAYER
ENDICOTT, N.Y. (AP) — A defensive lineman for the University of Akron is in fair condition with a broken leg after a weekend crash in central New York state that killed a U.S. soldier.
Nineteen-year-old Amodeni Odofin played in Akron’s season-ending loss Friday against Central Michigan. He was a passenger riding with 20-year-old Army Private Philip Diaferio, who died early Saturday at the scene in Endicott, New York.
Odofin is from that area, as was Diaferio.
Authorities say speed was a factor in the crash. Diaferio’s car ran off a road, went airborne and struck a tree.
His family says Diaferio was deployed to Iraq in September and had been home on leave for about a week before he was killed.
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MIAMI PLAYS FOR MAC TITLE…The Plain Dealer
MIAMI LOSS IN MAC TITLE GAME WOULD LAND BALL STATE IN BOWL…Muncie Star-Press
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HUSKIES’ NOVAK RETIRES
“I wasn’t going to give anyone the chance to fire me,” NIU coach Joe Novak joked. MACReportOnline.com
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GOING BOWLING
Central Michigan recovers from a 13-point deficit to down Akron and become bowl-eligible. CM-Life.com reports
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FOUR WINS BRINGS HIGHER EXPECTATIONS
With all but two seniors returning, the Owls are ready to establish themselves in the MAC…The Temple News
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MACReportOnline recaps Week #13 action
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Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com