“As the Zips made their first NCAA tournament birth in 23 years, the University of Akron Alumni Association held a watch party for the game Thursday night. The party held at Ohio Brewing Company hosted fans, students and alumni from over the years. Ohio Brewing Company also held a watch party for the tournament seeding the previous Sunday when it was announced the Zips would be seeded 13th.”
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As the Zips made their first NCAA tournament birth in 23 years, the University of Akron Alumni Association held a watch party for the game Thursday night.

The party held at Ohio Brewing Company hosted fans, students and alumni from over the years.

Ohio Brewing Company also held a watch party for the tournament seeding the previous Sunday when it was announced the Zips would be seeded 13th.

I think it’s fair, Akron head coach Keith Dambrot said after the seeding was announced.

Sophomore guard Steve McNees said that the seeding was fair as well and that the Zips couldn’t afford to worry about where the committee selected them.

I think it’s a fair ranking, McNees said.

Fans of the team cheered loudly as the team played well in the first quarter, some standing and waving their fingers and praying as foul shots were taken by the Zips.

With the Zips leading at the beginning of the second quarter, more fans packed into the bar to witness the Zips game against Gonzaga University.

University of Akron President Luis Proenza made his way to the party, walking around conversing with those in attendance.

As the Zips began to trail, some of their fans began to fade while other held their breath during key moments in the second half.

During a brief moment, the televisions went black and a massive roar of voices quickly filled the venue before the game was back on.

With Gonzaga leading in the last minutes of the game many fans began departing from the bar slightly less cheerful than when they entered.

Better luck next time, one man called out as the game concluded.

Regardless of the games outcome most seemed to mirror the same attitude.

I am very proud of how far they went, UA graduate Sara Schismenos said. They made our state and city very proud.

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