Akron's high-powered offense was on full display at James A. Rhodes Arena, as the Zips cruised to a 104-89 victory over Western Michigan. Tavari Johnson stole the show, scoring 32 points and dishing out 8 assists to lead Akron to its 17th win of the season. The Zips' guard was nearly unstoppable, using his quickness and agility to get past Western Michigan defenders and finish at the rim.
The game was closely contested in the first half, with Western Michigan trailing by just one point at halftime, 52-51. However, Akron came out strong in the second half, using a 10-2 run to build a 10-point lead. Western Michigan's Justice Williams did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 28 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Zips' balanced attack. Jayden Brewer added 23 points and 7 rebounds for the Broncos, but Akron's depth and athleticism was too much.
Shammah Scott and Amani Lyles also had big games for Akron, scoring 23 and 14 points, respectively. The Zips' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with five players scoring in double figures. Akron's ability to share the ball and find open shooters was a key factor in the win, as the team assisted on 22 of its 37 field goals.
While the win was impressive, it was expected, given the significant difference in talent and experience between the two teams. Akron, ranked 52nd in the nation, was facing a Western Michigan team that came in with a 8-13 record and a net ranking of 252. The Zips' victory was their 17th of the season, and it keeps them in the hunt for a top seed in the conference tournament.
The loss was a tough one for Western Michigan, but it was a valuable learning experience for the young team. The Broncos were able to hang with one of the best teams in the country for a half, and they showed flashes of brilliance on offense. However, they were ultimately unable to sustain their effort over the course of the game, and Akron's superior depth and talent won out.
In terms of resume implications, this win was a Quadrant 4 victory for Akron, which means it won't do much to boost the Zips' tournament chances. However, it's a win that Akron needed to have, and it keeps the team on track for a strong finish to the season. For Western Michigan, the loss was a Quadrant 1 game, which means it will actually help the Broncos' tournament resume, despite the defeat. While Western Michigan is unlikely to make a deep run in the tournament, the team's performance against Akron shows that it has the potential to be a spoiler in the conference tournament.