Akron Zips threaten Texas Tech in NCAA Tournament before falling apart

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Akron Zips threaten Texas Tech in NCAA Tournament before falling apart

Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Fri, Mar 20, 2026 ·

7 min read

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TAMPA, Fla. — The Akron Zips dropped out of March Madness knowing they had the Texas Tech Red Raiders right where they wanted them.

Anyone who merely glances at the final score — the Akron men's basketball team lost 91-71 — would have a hard time believing 12th-seeded UA had put fifth-seeded Texas Tech on upset alert during their first-round Midwest Region matchup on Friday, March 20, at Benchmark International Arena.

But it happened.

Akron basketball column: March Madness reaffirms Zips can build with Eric Mahaffey | Opinion

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Akron vs. Texas Tech men's basketball, NCAA tournament photos

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) drives against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) moves across the court against Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) dribbles against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) shoots against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips head coach John Groce calls timeout in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) rebounds against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Josiah Moseley (5) shoots against Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4), forward Amani Lyles (0) and Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) chase a loose ball in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) passes in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) chase a loose ball in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) shoots against Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) shoots against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) and guard Christian Anderson (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) shoots against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips cheerleaders in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) shoots against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Zach Halligan (21) looks to pass against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) defends Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) shoots against Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) drives against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) drives against Akron Zips guard Zach Halligan (21) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) blocks Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Luke Bamgboye (9) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives in the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) drives against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) shoots against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland in the first half against the Akron Zips during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Grant McCasland yells in the first half against the Akron Zips during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Tyeree Bryan (1) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) dribbles against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) shoots against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Josiah Moseley (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) shoots against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Tyeree Bryan (1) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) reacts after a basket against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) drives against Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts (3) defends Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) drives against Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Donovan Atwell (12) and forward Lejuan Watts (3) defend Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Mar 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Jaylen Petty (11) shoots against Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
(Matt Pendleton, Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

Texas Tech uses 15-2 run to turn tight game vs. Akron Zips into rout

With 6:53 left in the second half, forward Amani Lyles made a layup on an assist from point guard Tavari Johnson , cutting Akron's deficit to 69-64. Then disaster struck for the Zips . Texas Tech answered with a 15-2 run to capture an 84-66 advantage and turn the game into a blowout.

Akron (29-6, 17-1 Mid-American Conference) watched its 10-game winning streak and 2025-26 season come to a screeching halt. Texas Tech (23-10, 12-6 Big 12) snapped a three-game skid and advanced.

College basketball column: Zips coach John Groce has established himself as Akron legend | Opinion

Three Texas Tech players — guards Jaylen Petty (seven points) and Christian Anderson (four) and forward Josiah Moseley (four) — accounted for the Red Raiders' scoring during their 15-2 run. Petty finished with a team-high 24 points, followed by Anderson with 18 and Moseley with 16.

"We had a hard time guarding them in the second half," Akron coach John Groce told the Beacon Journal. "We did. We threw everything at them but the kitchen sink: 1-3-1, 2-3 zone, zone press, man press, diamond press, switching ball screen coverages, switching to post coverages. We didn't have a lot of answers to stop them defensively in the second half, and give them credit. I think a lot of it starts certainly with their guard play.

"We had an opportunity and a window there. We just didn't play well enough the last seven minutes. They did. They made shots. I thought Petty's timely shot making in the last seven minutes was huge and was a big reason they had that run."

Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles makes a pass after scrambling for a loose ball against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during an NCAA Tournament first-round game March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.

Akron Zips are 0-8 in March Madness with loss to Texas Tech

Less than a week after three-peating as the MAC Tournament champion, Akron fell to 0-8 in Division I NCAA tourney games (1986, 2009, '11, '13, '22, '24, '25 and '26).

Lyles scored a game-high 26 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field (2 of 6 on 3-pointers) and compiled three rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots in 32 minutes. He broke Zips legend Enrique Freeman 's previous program record for points in a Division I NCAA Tournament game. Freeman scored 21 points against Creighton two years ago.

March Madness: Akron Zips basketball score, recap vs. Texas Tech in NCAA Tournament

Immediately after Lyles set Akron's single-game March Madness scoring record with his aforementioned layup, which gave him 22 points with 6:53 remaining, Texas Tech took control.

"I feel like they got hot from 3, kind of just picked apart our defense, got a couple of easy shots and capitalized off our mistakes," Lyles said. "That's big. Every possession matters in this tournament and in these games. They did a good job executing against our defense."

Akron Zips coach John Groce calls timeout against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during an NCAA Tournament first-round game March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.

Akron squandered too many golden opportunities to count.

First of all, they blew a bunch of layups and floaters, especially in the first half. They finished 25-of-58 shooting (43.1%) from the field (5 of 19 on 3s, 26.3%). They went 13-of-33 shooting (39.4%) from the floor in the first half and 12-of-25 (48%) in the second half.

"I'm sitting there thinking, 'My gosh. We missed probably four or five layups in the first five minutes of the game at the rim,'" Groce said. "Now, obviously, [Texas Tech's players have] size and length, and they're breathing down your neck a little late sometimes and making you think about it and all that. But, still, I mean, they were shots that we normally convert at a little bit higher efficiency rate than what we did in the first half."

Then something unexpected happened in Akron's favor roughly midway through the second half.

Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey reacts after a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during an NCAA Tournament first-round game March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.

Akron Zips fail to capitalize on Texas Tech missing big men

With 9:42 left, Zips guard Eric Mahaffey tipped in a missed 3-pointer by guard Shammah Scott and drew a foul from Texas Tech forward LeJuan Watts . A strong contingent of Akron fans in the arena went wild. It was Watts' fifth foul, so he fouled out, and Mahaffey made the ensuing free throw to cut Texas Tech's lead to 64-60.

A starting forward, Watts had been punishing Akron. He had eight of his 14 points in the second half to go along with six rebounds. The Red Raiders were already without a dominant big man and their best player, forward JT Toppin , who suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Feb. 17.

It could have been a blood-in-the-water moment for the Zips, though they never seized control.

"I thought we had a unique opportunity ... when Watts fouled out," Groce said. "I really did. I'm thinking, 'My gosh. It's a two-possession game. He's out of the game.' And he had created some problems for us, especially early in the second half."

Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) reacts after a basket against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during an NCAA Tournament first-round game March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.

Akron lost the rebounding (32-25) and turnover (10-9) battles. UA was outscored 15-0 in fast-break points during Texas Tech's wire-to-wire win.

Akron's five seniors — Lyles, Johnson, Scott, wing Evan Mahaffey and guard Bowen Hardman — joined Groce at UA's postgame news conference. Groce touted their success at Akron and the relationships they have built.

"Just reflecting really with my guys, the guys that have been here for years, like Amani, that have been here for four years, from where we started and how far we've come, it's really just crazy to look back," Johnson said.

The two-time MAC Sixth Man of the Year, Scott scored 20 points off the bench on 8-of-13 shooting from the field (3 of 5 on 3-pointers). He led Akron with 13 first-half points, and the Zips trailed 40-35 at halftime.

Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson drives against Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Lejuan Watts, left, and guard Christian Anderson during an NCAA Tournament first-round game March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.

Akron men's basketball team makes just five 3-pointers against Texas Tech in NCAA Tournament

Johnson entered the NCAA Tournament as Akron's leading scorer, averaging 20.1 points, but he scored just four points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field against Texas Tech. With six assists, Johnson moved into first place on Akron's single-season assists leaderboard (176).

Johnson also led Akron in the 2025-26 season with 201 3-point attempts (and shot 37.3% from deep). Yet, Johnson didn't take a single 3 against Texas Tech, whose coach, Grant McCasland spoke with delight about limiting UA to five successful 3s. The Zips entered the game averaging 10.9 made 3-pointers.

Meanwhile, the Red Raiders repeatedly created open looks on the perimeter and went 34-of-53 shooting (64.2%) from the field (11 of 20 on 3s, 55%). Guard Donovan Atwell scored 15 points, making 4-of-6 3s. Petty drained 5-of-7 3s. Texas Tech had five players score in dougle figures. Akron had just two, Lyles and Scott.

Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey blocks Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Christian Anderson (4) during an NCAA Tournament first-round game March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. Mahaffey was called for a foul on the play.

UA's Mahaffey brothers, Eric and Evan, scored eight points apiece.

Early in Texas Tech's pivotal 15-2 run, the officials called Eric Mahaffey for a foul on a fast-break alley-oop attempt by Anderson. The Zips (and many fans in attendance) thought Eric Mahaffey had a clean block on the play. But Anderson went to the free-throw line and made two foul shots to give Texas Tech a 73-64 lead with 6:07 left. Eric Mahaffey checked out of the game with four fouls.

"I feel like I got all ball, but it's an iffy play," Eric Mahaffey told the Beacon Journal. "The ref doesn't have a good angle, so can't really be mad, and they make mistakes, too. But I'll just say it was definitely a big play in the game."

The margin for error is thin, something the Zips know all to well about March Madness.

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 lament missed opportunities vs. Texas Tech in March Madness

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