Akron Zips basketball score, recap, analysis vs. Bucknell Bison

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Akron Zips basketball score, recap, analysis vs. Bucknell Bison

Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Wed, Dec 3, 2025 ·

9 min read

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The Akron Zips men's basketball team has a chance this season to set a record for the longest home winning streak in program history.

Akron's winning streak at Rhodes Arena dating to last season increased to 21 on Dec. 3 with a 97-77 victory in a nonconference game against Bucknell . The Zips' record for longest home winning streak is 30 games (2015-17). If Akron were to win the rest of its home games in the 2025-26 season, it would reach 31 in a row with the regular-season finale against Northern Illinois on March 6.

More Akron Zips : Eric and Evan Mahaffey give UA basketball a brotherly boost

In the meantime, here is how Akron (7-2) versus Bucknell (2-8) unfolded at the University of Akron through our updates:

Akron defeats Bucknell 97-77

Forward Amani Lyles led Akron with a game-high 24 points, and Zips point guard Tavari Johnson scored 23 points. Wing Evan Mahaffey had 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Guard Quin Berger led Bucknell with 18 points, followed by guard Jayden Williams with 15 points.

Akron finished 35-of-62 shooting from the field (12 of 29 on 3-pointers). Bucknell went 29-of-71 shooting from the floor (14 of 37 on 3s). Akron went 15-of-23 shooting on foul shots compared with Bucknell going 5-of-7 shooting on free throws.

Akron won the rebounding battle 38-37.

The Akron Zips lead 92-66 and are just showing off now against Bucknell basketball

The Akron Zips have the points they need to win. Now they're going for style points.

With 4:20 left to play, guard Shammah Scott took advantage of a fast break by throwing the ball off the backboard to set up forward Chabi Barre for a dunk. The highlight play resulted in a 92-66 Akron lead.

Bucknell cannot feel great about the moment. But it should feel even worse about its losing streak reaching eight games.

Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles dominates vs. Bucknell

Two layups by Akron forward Amani Lyles put the Zips ahead 75-53, an advantage UA held during a timeout with 8:57 left to play.

Akron led 81-61 during a timeout with 8:02 remaining.

Lyles had a game-high 21 points at this stage. He has had an efficient outing, shooting 7 of 10 from the field (1 of 3 on 3-pointers) and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line.

Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles shoots a 3-pointer over James Madison forward Gabe Newhof on Nov. 3, 2025.

Akron leads Bucknell 69-50 with 11:35 left in the second half

So far, Akron has outscored Bucknell 20-12 in the second half.

The Zips led 69-50 with 11:35 left in the second half.

Amani Lyles makes 3-pointer to give Akron its largest lead vs. Bucknell

Zips forward Amani Lyles is known for scoring in the paint, rebounding and blocking shots. But Lyles is clearly trying to add a reliable 3-pointer to his arsenal. With 15:45 left in the second half, he nailed one from the top of the key to give Akron a 59-42 lead, UA's largest advantage thus far.

At this juncture, Lyles had a game-high 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field (1 of 3 on 3-pointers).

Akron Zips lead Bucknell Bison 56-42 after second half begins with runs by each team

Bucknell opened the second half with a 6-0 run to cut its deficit to 49-42. Akron answered with a 7-0 run and led 56-42 during a timeout with 16:57 remaining.

Guard Eric Mahaffey scored five consecutive points for UA, draining a 3-pointer and dunking on an assist by forward Amani Lyles just before the timeout.

Akron ends first half on 15-2 run, and Zips lead Bucknell 49-36 at halftime

Akron ended the first half on a 15-2 run to take control with a 49-36 halftime lead.

During UA's run, Bucknell guard Quin Berger delivered hard foul to Akron forward Chabi Barre as Barre jumped under the basket. The officiating crew reviewed the play with 2:29 left in the first half, but no flagrant was issued. Barre made two foul shots, and Akron took a 41-34 lead.

Forward Amani Lyles made two foul shots, threw down a dunk on an assist from wing Evan Mahaffey and drained two more free throws during UA's scoring outburst. Point guard Tavari Johnson added a floater but missed a subsequent foul shot, falling short of a three-point play with 41.1 seconds left in the half.

Akron went 17-of-33 shooting from the field (6 of 18 on 3-pointers) in the first half. Bucknell went 15-of-30 shooting from the floor (6 of 14 on 3s).

Lyles, Mahaffey and Johnson each scored 10 points apiece to lead Akron in the first half. Guards Jayden Williams and Achile Spadone led Bucknell in the first half with nine points apiece.

Akron held advantages of 9-0 in points off turnovers and 15-0 in bench scoring at halftime. UA also led the rebounding battle 20-13.

Bucknell scored just two points in the final four minutes of the first half.

Akron hoops leads Bucknell 39-34 with 3:08 left in the first half

Several Zips players have taken turns providing a spark. Wing Marvin Musiime-Kamali became the most recent.

Musiime-Kamali made a floater and recorded a tip-in in the span of about a minute. With those contributions, Akron led 39-34 during a Bucknell timeout with 3:08 remaining in the first half.

Evan Mahaffey gives Akron Zips men's basketball a boost and a 29-25 lead vs. Bucknell with 7:27 left in the first half

Wing Evan Mahaffey dunked with 9:07 left in the first half and drained a push shot with 7:51 remaining.

The Zips led 29-25 during a media timeout with 7:27 left. At this stage, Mahaffey and guard Tavari Johnson led UA with eight points apiece.

Akron Zips basketball is trying to win the math game within the game against Bucknell hoops

If Akron beats Bucknell, it's likely going to be because the Zips dominate on the perimeter.

With 11:57 left in the first half, Akron led 19-18 and had shot nine 3-pointers compared with Bucknell's four. Bucknell has more size and is focused on the paint. With the exception of forward Amani Lyles, UA's offense is mostly driven by guards.

Guard Bowen Hardman's 3-pointer gave the Zips the aforementioned one-point edge with 12:29 left in the first half.

Bucknell basketball team tied 12-12 with Akron with 15:59 left in the first half

Center Grgur Brcic made a layup with 16:05 left in the first half to move Bucknell into a 12-12 tie with Akron. The score remained the same during the first media timeout with 15:59 left before halftime.

Brcic gave the Zips trouble early. He began the game 3-of-3 shooting from the field and led Bucknell with six points at this juncture.

Akron Zips trails Bucknell 10-9 during timeout for frozen scoreboard with 17:13 left in first half

After Akron point guard Tavari Johnson made a 3-pointer, Bucknell guard Quin Berger answered with a 3 of his own and apparently said something to UA's bench. The officiating crew called a technical foul on Berger, and Johnson made a pair of foul shots to cut the Zips' deficit to 10-9 with 17:13 left in the first half.

UA also retained possession as a result of the technical foul, but then technical difficulties emerged. The scoreboard froze for a few moments, until an Akron staffer fixed the issue.

When play resumed, Johnson made another 3, giving UA a 12-10 lead.

Below is some pregame information.

Akron Zips and Bucknell Bison basketball starters

Akron's starters:

Forward Amani Lyles
Guard Tavari Johnson
Guard Shammah Scott
Wing Evan Mahaffey
Guard Eric Mahaffey

Nov 16, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives past Purdue Boilermakers guard C.J. Cox (0) during the second half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images — Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives past Purdue Boilermakers guard C.J. Cox (0) on Nov. 16, 2025, in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Bucknell's starters:

Guard Jayden Williams
Guard Quin Berger
Guard Achile Spadone
Forward Grgur Brcic
Forward Amon Dorries

Nov 16, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Akron Zips head coach John Groce reacts during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images — Akron Zips men's basketball coach John Groce reacts during a game against the Purdue Boilermakers on Nov. 16, 2025, in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Akron Zips men's basketball 2025-26 season results

Nov 3:vs. James Madison – W 85–71
Nov 8:vs. Princeton – W 104–69
Nov 12:vs. Penn State-Shenango – W 109–51
Nov 16:at No. 2 Purdue – L 97-79
Nov 21:vs. Iona (Paradise Jam) – W 96–75
Nov 23:vs. Evansville (Paradise Jam) – W 97–59
Nov 24:vs. Yale (Paradise Jam) – L 97-94
Nov 29:vs. Milwaukee – W 105–81

Akron Zips: Weigand family finds perspective as it rises to overcome health challenges, adversity

Akron coach John Groce draws up a play during a timeout against Princeton in the second half, Nov. 8, 2025.

Remaining Akron Zips basketball schedule

Dec. 3:vs. Bucknell, 7 p.m.
Dec. 6:at Tulane, 4 p.m.
Dec. 13:vs. Murray State (neutral site), 4 p.m.
Dec. 19:vs. Eastern Michigan, 7 p.m. (Mid-American Conference)
Dec. 29:vs. Concord, 7 p.m.
Jan. 3:at Miami ( Ohio ), 3:30 p.m. (MAC)
Jan. 6:vs. Central Michigan, 7 p.m. (MAC)
Jan. 9:at Bowling Green, 8 p.m. (MAC)
Jan. 13:vs. Ball State , 7 p.m. (MAC)
Jan. 17:vs. Western Michigan, 2 p.m. (MAC)
Jan. 20:at Buffalo, 6:30 p.m. (MAC)
Jan. 23:at Ohio, 8 p.m. (MAC)
Jan. 27:vs. Toledo, TBA time (MAC)
Jan. 30:vs. Kent State, 6 p.m. (MAC)
Feb. 3:at Eastern Michigan, 6:30 p.m. (MAC)
Feb. 7: at TBD opponent in MAC-SBC Challenge, TBA time
Feb. 14:vs. Massachusetts, TBA time (MAC)
Feb. 17:at Western Michigan, 7 p.m. (MAC)
Feb. 21:at Ball State, TBA time (MAC)
Feb. 24:vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m. (MAC)
Feb. 28:at Kent State, TBA time (MAC)
March 3:at Central Michigan, 7 p.m. (MAC)
March 6:vs. Northern Illinois, TBA time (MAC)

Akron Zips: UA basketball overcomes poor start and finds right note vs. James Madison. 'It's jazz'

Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott dribbles down court in the first half at Purdue, Nov. 16, 2025.

How can I watch, stream or listen to Akron Zips vs. Bucknell basketball?

Akron vs. Bucknell can be viewed on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi working as the play-by-play announcer and Jeff Phelps as the analyst. It can be heard on the Akron Sports Radio Network on WHLO (640-AM) with Dave Skoczen serving as the play-by-play announcer and Joe Dunn as the analyst.

Akron basketball vs. Bucknell Bison history

Akron is 2-0 in its all-time series against Bucknell, yet the teams haven't met in nearly 59 years.

The Zips prevailed 65-63 on Dec. 22, 1964, and 87-60 on Dec. 21, 1966.

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com . On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips men's basketball score vs Bucknell, recap, highlights

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