
ZIPS WIN FIFTH STRAIGHT
AKRON, Ohio – Nick Dials hit a 3-pointer and went 5-of-6 from the free throw line in the final 41 seconds to key the University of Akron men’s basketball team to a 79-73 win over Illinois-Chicago on Saturday at Rhodes Arena.
The win was the fifth straight for Akron (10-2), and was also its 17th straight at home – the sixth-longest streak of its kind in the nation. The victory also gave the Zips their best start to a season in the program’s Division I era (began in 1980-81).
After leading 71-61 with 4:31 to play, UIC (8-5) used a 7-0 run to pull with 71-68 with 2:13 left. The score did not change until Dials converted his clutch 3-pointer to make it 74-68. A 3-pointer by UIC’s Josh Mayo with 29 seconds remaining brought the Flames within 74-71, but Dials’s near perfect showing from the line down the stretch held off the Flames who saw their five-game win streak come to an end.
The score was tied twice and the lead changed hands three times in the game’s first three minutes, but Akron took the lead for good, 11-10, at the 16:43 mark. The Zips took a 33-29 cushion into the break.
Jeremiah Wood led Akron with 18 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Dials finished with 16 points and a career-high-tying eight assists. Dials was also 8-of-10 from the free throw line. Nate Linhart rounded out the Zips’ double-digit scorers, tallying 13 points and a season-high-tying six boards. Linhart, who scored in double figures for the fourth-straight game, went 5-of-6 from the floor, including a 3-of-3 showing from behind the 3-point line.
UIC shot 47.6 percent (30-of-63) from the floor and 39.1 percent (9-of-23) from 3-point land, while Akron hit (41.9 percent) 26-of-62 from the field and 45.5 percent (10-of-22) from long range. The Zips went to the free throw line 21 times (making 17/81.0 percent), while UIC was 4-of-6 (66.7 percent) from the charity stripe. The teams were even on the boards at 33 apiece.
UIC’s Robert Kreps and Robert Bush led all scorers with 19 points apiece, while Scott Vandermeer grabbed a game-high seven rebounds for the Flames. Josh Mayo finished with 12 points and six assists, but had five of UIC’s 14 turnovers.
Akron travels to Dayton on Jan. 2. Tip-off at UD Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.
(source: Akron Media Relations, photo: Mike Cardew, Akron Beacon Journal)
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LINHART STEADIES ZIPS’ SHIP…The Beacon Journal
MEN’S BASKETBALL WIN STREAK HALTED IN AKRON…UIC Athletics
AKRON 79 UIC 73….Associated Press
AKRON-UIC RUNNING GAME NOTES…Mike Rasor’s blog
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KENT OPENS ITS DOOR FOR ANOTHER WIN…The Plain Dealer
Central Michigan destroyed Tiffin, 100-34 and Miami loses a close one to Cincinnati.
Complete Saturday MAC Men’s basketball results
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Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com





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