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Akron basketball score, recap vs. Buffalo | Zips set UA regular-season wins record
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- Akron basketball score, recap vs. Buffalo | Zips set UA regular-season wins record
The University of Akron men's basketball team closed its 2024-25 regular season Friday night by setting a notable program record.
The Zips (25-6, 17-1 in the Mid-American Conference ) established the UA record for most regular-season wins with an 88-70 victory over the Buffalo Bulls (9-22, 4-14) in a MAC game at Rhodes Arena. Akron had previously posted 24 wins in two other regular seasons (2006-07 and 2019-20), but 25 is unprecedented.
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The thrashing of Buffalo served as Akron's final tune-up before it enters the March 13-15 MAC Tournament . UA will face Bowling Green in the opening round at 11 a.m. March 13 in Cleveland. Here is how the action from Akron versus Buffalo unfolded through our updates:
Akron Zips beat Buffalo Bulls 88-70 in regular-season finale
Guards Isaiah Gray and Nate Johnson led Akron with 14 points apiece. Guard Shammah Scott had 11 points. Forward James Okonkwo posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Seth Wilson contributed nine points.
Guard Ryan Sabol and forward Ben Michaels paced Buffalo with 14 points each.
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Zips had 20-point lead with 6:49 left in the game
Garbage time has arrived in a blowout. Buffalo went on an 8-0 run with a little less than 10 minutes left to play.
But Akron still led 75-55 with 6:49 remaining during a media timeout.
Akron basketball leads Buffalo 69-44 with 11:56 left in the second half
During a media timeout, Akron led Buffalo 69-44 with 11:56 remaining in the second half.
Zips Shammah Scott had a team-high 11 points at this juncture. Guards Nate Johnson and Seth Wilson and forward James Okonkwo had nine points apiece.
Zips lead Bulls 60-39 with 14:45 left in the second half
Buffalo went on an 8-0 run early in the second half, but Akron coach John Groce felt comfortable enough to forgo a timeout. His players responded.
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During a media timeout, the Zips led 60-39 with 14:45 left in the second half. Scott made two free throws coming out of the stoppage in play, inflating Akron's cushion to 62-39.
Akron leads Buffalo men's basketball team 47-24 at halftime
The Zips dominated in the first half and led 47-24 at halftime.
With 5.7 seconds left in the second half, UA forward Amani Lyles blocked a layup attempt by Buffalo guard Tyson Dunn. The play provided an example of how the Zips asserted their will in the paint on both ends of the floor throughout the first half.
Akron outrebounded Buffalo 25-17 in the first half. The Zips held advantages of 13-2 in second-chance points and 22-12 in points in the paint.
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Akron forced nine turnovers in the first half and committed just one in the first half. The Zips earned a 10-0 lead in points off turnovers.
Akron Zips men's basketball team leads Buffalo 41-22 with 3:03 left in the first half
UA led 41-22 during a media timeout with 3:03 remaining in the first half.
Okonkwo has been playing with an edge (his teammates call this version "Jimmy"). He has seven points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field and three rebounds. Guard Bowen Hardman also has seven points, pacing UA in scoring with Okonkwo.
Zips lead Bulls 33-17 with 7:52 left in the first half of their Mid-American Conference game
Akron led 33-17 with 7:52 left in the first half during a media timeout.
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Akron is 13-of-24 shooting from the field (6 of 12 on 3-pointers). Buffalo is 7-of-19 shooting from the floor (2 of 10 on 3s).
Wilson has six points, shooting 2 of 3 on 3s.
Akron builds 30-17 lead vs. Buffalo with 9:29 left in the first half
A putback on a reverse layup by Gray boosted UA's lead to 30-17 with 9:29 left in the first half.
At this early stage, the Zips have six offensive rebounds and hold a 7-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Buffalo responded to its largest deficit thus far by calling timeout.
Akron leads Buffalo 19-14 with 11:51 left in the first half
The Zips led the Bulls 19-14 during the game's second media timeout with 11:51 remaining in the first half.
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Buffalo has yet to lead.
Akron Zips lead Buffalo 15-6 with 14:57 left in the first half
During the game's first media timeout, Akron led Buffalo 15-6 with 14:57 left in the first half.
On Senior Day, senior guard Evan Wilson started for the first time this season and drained a 3-pointer to give the Zips a 3-0 lead with 18:48 remaining.
Scott came off the bench with 16:43 left and scored five quick points for the Zips. Scott made a fast-break layup off a stolen pass and a 3-pointer during a possession kept alive by forward Amani Lyles' offensive rebound.
Here is some pregame information, with updates made to account for Friday's results in the MAC:
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What other Akron Zips basketball history was made with UA's win over Buffalo in the 2024-25 regular-season finale?
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The Zips entered Friday with a MAC record of 16-1 and last week clinched the outright regular-season conference championship. A win over Buffalo allowed Akron to finish 17-1 in the conference and thereby tie Kent State 's 2001-02 team for the best single-season record in MAC play during the modern era. Kent State famously advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament during the 2001-02 season.
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Akron entered Friday with a record of 15-0 this season at Rhodes Arena. A win over Buffalo gave UA a 16-0 home record and its first undefeated season at Rhodes Arena since 2015-16, when the Zips went 15-0. UA has gone unbeaten at Rhodes Arena in two other seasons: 18-0 in 1986-87 and 13-0 in 2005-06.
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A victory over Buffalo gave Akron 16 home wins this season. The UA record for most home wins in a single season is 18 in 1986-87. The 16 victories at home this season rank second in program history.
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) celebrates with the Ak-Rowdies after the Zips beat Kent State on Feb. 28, 2025, in Akron.
What is the Akron Zips men's basketball record for wins in a season?
The 2016-17 Akron team coached by Keith Dambrot finished 27-9 and holds the UA record for most wins in a season.
This season's Zips team coached by John Groce would tie the program record by winning two games in the MAC Tournament. UA would break the record by winning three games in the MAC Tournament.
Three wins are required to capture the MAC Tournament title and the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, a feat Akron accomplished last season. UA then lost 77-60 to Creighton in the first round of March Madness.
Akron’s Nate Johnson looks to pass between Western Michigan’s Max Burton and Markhi Strickland on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025.
Akron will face Bowling Green in the Mid-American Conference Tournament's first round. Here's the MAC Tournament bracket
Because Akron clinched the No. 1 seed in the MAC Tournament, UA will play No. 8 seed Bowling Green (14-17, 8-10) in the opening round at 11 a.m. March 13 at Rocket Arena in downtown Cleveland.
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On Jan. 3, Bowling Green lost 71-68 at home in its only meeting this season with Akron.
Kent State (21-10, 11-7) earned the No. 3 seed and will open the MAC tourney with the March 13 nightcap against No. 6 Western Michigan (12-19, 9-9).
Because Akron and Kent State are on opposite sides of the bracket, the Wagon Wheel rivals wouldn't be able to clash in the MAC Tournament until the championship.
The winner of Akron and Bowling Green will advance to play the winner of No. 4 Toledo (17-14, 10-8) and No. 5 Ohio (16-15, 10-8). The winner of Kent State versus Western Michigan will advance to face the winner of No. 2 Miami (23-8, 14-4) and No. 7 Eastern Michigan (16-15, 9-9).
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MAC tourney semifinal games will be held Friday night, followed by the championship Saturday night.
Mid-American Conference basketball news: If Kent State and Akron basketball meet in MAC Tournament, you won't need caffeine
Akron guard Isaiah Gray shoots over a Northern Kentucky defender, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
Who did the Akron Zips basketball program honor on Senior Day?
The Zips have five players listed as seniors on their roster, but UA honored only three of them on Senior Day against Buffalo.
Guards Isaiah Gray, Seth Wilson and Evan Wilson were recognized. But guard Shammah Scott and forward James Okonkwo were not because they each have an extra year of eligibility available to use.
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Akron Zips basketball news: Shammah Scott and Tavari Johnson lead UA to first win at Toledo since 2013
Akron forward Amani Lyles, right, celebrates with teammates after the Zips beat Kent State to win the MAC regular season championship Feb. 28, 2025, in Akron, Ohio.
What is the history between Akron and Buffalo in men's basketball?
Akron entered Friday with an eight-game winning streak against Buffalo. The Zips now lead the all-time series 44-33, including 28-8 at home.
In the previous meeting on Jan. 21, UA rolled to a 90-58 win at Buffalo.
Akron Zips men's basketball broadcast information. How can I watch on TV, listen on radio or stream the Akron vs Buffalo game?
The Akron-Buffalo game was available to be streamed on ESPN+. It was broadcast on local radio via WHLO (640-AM).
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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips men's basketball recap vs. Buffalo live updates, highlights
