The University of Akron Zips Stay Perfect at The JAR, Freeman Records Career High

Enrique Freeman/Men's Basketball | The University of Akron

By Press release submission

Feb 2, 2023

The Akron Zips remain the hottest team in the Mid-American Conference after downing the Ohio Bobcats 83-77 behind a career performance by junior forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) on Saturday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The combination of a dominant outing by Freeman and lethal long-range shooting was too much for Ohio to overcome as the Zips snapped the Bobcats two-game winning streak to remain unbeaten at home (11-0).

Freeman recorded his tenth double-double of the season with a career-high 32 points and 15 rebounds and had plenty of support from senior guard Xavier Castañeda (16 points), graduate transfer guard Trendon Hankerson (14) and junior forward Sammy Hunter (nine).

Akron seized control after a close start that saw the two sides swap leads to tip off the game, building a lead of as many as 19 and holding off the Bobcats down the stretch. It's the sixth straight win for the Zips (15-6, 7-1 MAC), who remain tied for first place in the MAC.

The victory featured 9-of-16 shooting from long range by Akron, besting their previous top effort of 55 percent from 3-point range in a Dec. 19 win over Maine. Castaneda helped lead the 3-point barrage, including a key triple with 8:30 left in the game to stem the tide after the Bobcats (11-10, 3-5 MAC) cut their deficit to eight. Hunter and Hankerson each made all three of their triple tries.

Freeman keyed a 22-5 run over a span of 5:53 midway through the first half with eight points and back-to-back threes from the top of the key by Hankerson, combined with a technical foul on the Bobcats, helped Akron expand its lead to 19 at 44-25 heading into the final media timeout of the frame.

It was the Freeman show throughout the half, as he consistently beat Ohio defenders to the hoop for layups and dominated the glass, posting 16 points and eight rebounds before the break. His efforts helped stake the Zips to a 47-30 halftime lead.

As a team, Akron shot a sizzling 63 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, including 7-of-11 from 3-point range. They also notched a 16-9 rebounding edge, controlling the paint as well as the perimeter.

Junior guard Jaylin Hunter led Ohio with 16 points and freshman guard A.J. Brown chipped in with 15 for the visitors.