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Tavari Johnson, Shammah Scott lead Akron men's basketball to win at Ohio
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- Tavari Johnson, Shammah Scott lead Akron men's basketball to win at Ohio
Another fast start Jan. 23 propelled the University of Akron men's basketball team to an 86-65 over host Ohio .
The Zips jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the opening 65 seconds of the Mid-American Conference game before a crowd of 4,422 at the Convocation Center and a nationally televised audience on ESPNU.
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Senior Tavari Johnson made two jump shots and a free throw and senior Amani Lyles made a layup to give Akron an early lead that it never relinquished.
Tavari Johnson leads Akron men's basketball past Ohio
Johnson scored a game-high 24 points and also had three rebounds, two assists and two blocks in almost 29 minutes to guide Akron (16-4, 7-1). He made 10 of 13 shots from the field and 4 of 5 free throws.
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives to the basket ahead of Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jalen Sullinger (13) during the first half Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Kent, Ohio.
Akron senior Shammah Scott was a perfect 6 of 6 from the free-throw line and scored 19 points. He made 5 of 12 shots from the field, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range.
Javan Simmons and Jackson Paveletzke scored 16 points apiece for Ohio (11-10, 5-4).
Akron's Amani Lyles blocks a shot at the rim by Toledo's Isaiah Adams on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
Amani Lyles posts another double-double for Akron men's basketball
Lyles compiled his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Sharron Young added 11 points for the Zips .
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Lyles has scored in double figures in 15 consecutive games, becoming the first Akron player to do so since Enrique Freeman during the 2023-24 season.
Akron senior Evan Mahaffey totaled eight points, nine rebounds and five assists. His brother, redshirt freshman Eric Mahaffey , added in five points, five rebounds and two assists.
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) celebrates his 3-pointer against Miami during the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game March 15, 2025, in Cleveland.
Akron led 25-18 with 7:57 remaining in the first half and put together a 16-0 run to lead 41-18 to 3:53 to go before halftime. Young scored the first six points during the run, which also included 3-pointers by Bowen Hardman and Scott.
The Zips led 48-26 at halftime and 63-39 with 13:03 to go in the second half on a layup by Scott.
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Akron finished with an edge in rebounds (44-30) and assists (12-5). The shot 49.2% from the field (30-61), including 35.3% on 3-pointers (6-17), and 76.9% from the free-throw line (20-26).
Ohio shot 32.8% from the field (20-61), including 23.5% on 3's (4-17),. and 77.8% from the free throw line (21-27).
Akron leads the all-time series over Ohio 51-45 and Zips coach John Groce 10-7 against the Bobcats.
Akron returns to Rhodes Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 27 to host Toledo at 7 p.m.
Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron men's basketball score, Zips roll to MAC road win at Ohio
