Akron's Amani Lyles stole the show at Alumni Arena, leading his team to a resounding 82-63 victory over the University at Buffalo. The Zips' dominant performance was fueled by Lyles' impressive double-double, consisting of 18 points and 15 rebounds. This win solidifies Akron's position as a strong mid-major program, and their performance against Buffalo will undoubtedly boost their tournament resume.
The first half was all Akron, as they stormed out to a 43-27 lead at the break. The Zips' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Lyles and Tavari Johnson setting the tone. Johnson chipped in 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Evan Mahaffey added 11 points to the cause. Buffalo's Ryan Sabol tried to keep his team afloat, scoring 14 of his 26 points in the first half, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide.
The second half saw more of the same, as Akron continued to pull away from the Bulls. Buffalo's Angelo Brizzi and Noah Batchelor provided some spark, scoring 12 and 6 points, respectively, but the deficit was too great to overcome. The Zips' lead ballooned to as many as 23 points, and they ultimately cruised to a 19-point victory.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Akron winning by 3.1 points, but the Zips far exceeded that margin. The actual score of 82-63 was a reflection of Akron's superior play and Buffalo's struggles to contain Lyles and company. While the prediction was correct in terms of the winner, the margin of victory was a surprise.
This game had real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Akron, the win is a Quadrant 3 victory, which will help bolster their resume. With a current net ranking of 59, the Zips are firmly in the mix for an at-large bid. On the other hand, Buffalo's loss is a Quadrant 2 defeat, which won't hurt their chances too much, but it does prevent them from gaining ground on the Zips. The Bulls' net ranking of 154 leaves them on the outside looking in, and they'll need to string together some wins to get back in the conversation.
As it stands, Akron's dominant performance against Buffalo will be a key talking point when selecting tournament teams. The Zips have proven themselves to be a formidable opponent, and their win over the Bulls will be a valuable addition to their resume. With Lyles leading the charge, Akron is a team to watch in the coming weeks, and their tournament chances are looking brighter by the day.