Johnson’s Jumper Beats Buzzer to Sneak Past Ball State 65-63

The Akron Men’s basketball team won a very close game in the final seconds Tuesday night to improve to 10 and 1 in the MAC conference. Overall the game was very low scoring, Akron started off the game shooting very poor from the field and they went 13 for 33 shooting (39.4%) in the first half. In the second half, the game was pretty close between both squads and both were trading baskets but Akron was able to escape with the win. Akron is still undefeated at home and they sit at 12 and 0.

Scoring for Akron was senior center Isaiah Johnson who led the team with 20 points, nine rebounds, and one steal. He was 9 for 16 from the court, split a pair of free throws with two seconds left to tie the ball game, and sealed the deal with a buzzard beating jump shot to beat the Cardinals. Jimond Ivey scored 10 points, and added four rebounds and two assists. Also, the bench contributed some key baskets. Tavian Dunn-Martin and Emmanu Olojakpoke both scored 6 points. Martin made 2 of 3 3-pointers, and Olojakpoke was 3 for 3 from the court.

Akron is away next against Eastern Michigan on Friday night at 7 pm at the Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Kwan Cheatham leads the team in rebounds and is averaging 7.8 a game, while Eastern Michigan’s James Thompson IV leads his team with 10.8 rebounds per game. Akron will look to improve to 5 and 4 on the road.