“The University of Akron men’s basketball team recorded its 20th win of the season and secured a first-round bye in the Mid-American Tournament when it defeated the University at Buffalo 76-56 Saturday at Rhodes Arena. The team has posted 20-plus wins in each of the last three seasons and has accomplished the feat seven times since the program joined Division I at the start of the 1980-81 season.”
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The University of Akron men’s basketball team recorded its 20th win of the season and secured a first-round bye in the Mid-American Tournament when it defeated the University at Buffalo 76-56 Saturday at Rhodes Arena.

The team has posted 20-plus wins in each of the last three seasons and has accomplished the feat seven times since the program joined Division I at the start of the 1980-81 season.

That’s a big deal, UA head coach Keith Dambrot said after the game about reaching the milestone. I’m going to celebrate tonight. I don’t usually, but that’s a big deal.

With UB converging on UA senior forward Jeremiah Wood in the post and outscoring the Zips 36-12 in the paint, UA was forced to score from beyond the arc. Despite struggling to convert their 3-point attempts in their last two home contests, the Zips made 13 3-point baskets while shooting 51.9 percent (13-22) from long distance.

UA (20-8 overall, 10-4 MAC) was paced by senior guard Cedrick Middleton’s 20 points on six 3-point field goals.

Middleton said that he felt good warming up before the game and that he was able to exploit the Bulls’ defensive strategy.

They were double-teaming (Jeremiah) Wood and he was kicking it back out, so I was able to make the open shots, he said.

The game was physical throughout, with the teams being whistled for a combined 42 personal fouls. The Zips converted 23-of-29 free throw attempts, while the Bulls connected on 10-of-13.

Dambrot said that although UA has performed better at the free throw line than they did earlier in the season, the team has not changed its practice routine. He attributes the success to the players, believing in their abilities as they step to the charity stripe.

If you have doubts when you get up there, you’re not going to hit them, UA’s fourth-year head coach said. Mostly, it’s a mental thing. You can shoot it with the worst form in the world, but if you believe it’s going in, you’re going to make it most of the time.

Senior guard Nick Dials added 17 points to go along with Middleton’s 20-point performance in leading the Zips’ offense. Wood was limited to 3-of-10 shooting from the field, but managed to score 10 points and grab nine rebounds in his second game back after having surgery on his right knee.

UB shot 39.3 percent (22-of-26) from the field and converted 2-of-14 3-pointers.

UA will play its final road game of the regular season tonight when it takes on Ohio University. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. at OU’s Convocation Center.

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” #1.1361150:4265576818.jpg:middleton_cedrick_007.jpg:Cedrick Middleton:Jeff Harwell / Zips Sports Photography”