Recap: Men’s basketball’s 6-0 run ends with loss to Akron

The Miami University RedHawks men’s basketball team took its first loss 102-75 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play Saturday afternoon against the University of Akron Zips.

Miami (14-5, 6-1 in conference play) entered the matchup at Akron on a seven-game winning streak. The RedHawks had won by an average of 12.33 points against their conference opponents to start 6-0 for the first time since the 2005-06 season.

At the same time, Akron (14-5, 7-0 in conference play) waited for the RedHawks after winning its last six games to take an undefeated standing in the MAC. The Zips had an average score differential of 15.67 through their MAC slate going into today’s game.

The RedHawks took the first lead of the game with a 3-pointer from redshirt sophomore wing Kam Craft. The Zips tied it up 5-5 with a layup from senior guard Isaiah Gray, and Akron went on to outscore Miami 52-28, taking a substantial lead going into halftime.

Junior guard Tavari Johnson made a pair of free throws to extend Akron’s lead at the top of the half. After four minutes, the Zips held a 37-point advantage over the RedHawks, who scored 47 to Akron’s 50 in the second half.

Akron held the advantage through the final minutes despite Miami’s efforts to bounce back. When the timer ran out, the Zips were up by 27 points to remain undefeated and take the No. 1 seed in the MAC.

Three RedHawks posted two-figure scores, with junior guard Peter Suder’s 18 points leading the roster. Redshirt first-year wing Brant Byers continued his streak of double-digit games with 14 points, and sophomore guard Evan Ipsaro’s 12 points marked his second-best performance of the season.

The Zips proved to be lethal from behind the arc today, making 15 3-pointers on 34 attempts. Senior guard Seth Wilson made four of those shots, his second-most of the season.

The RedHawks shot 28-60 (.467) on field goals, their second-lowest in conference play and seventh lowest overall.

While Akron rose to the No. 1 spot in the MAC, Miami dropped to the No. 2 spot ahead of the Ohio University Bobcats (11-8, 5-2 in conference play). The RedHawks will face the Bobcats next Saturday, but first they will welcome the No. 5 Eastern Michigan University Eagles (10-9, 4-3 in conference play) to Millett Hall on Jan. 28.

@thekethan04

babukc2@miamioh.edu