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Akron enters new season with big win |
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Thursday, November 10 2011 |
 AKRON 68, MISSISSIPPI STATE 58
Diggs finished the game 8-of-13 from the floor with four rebounds in 33 minutes on the court. Zeke Marshall contributed with 10 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots before fouling out. Brian Walsh added nine points in his first action for the Zips.
For the game, Akron shot 48.4 percent from the floor (30-of-62) and 20 percent from behind the 3-point arc. Mississippi State closed the contest shooting 34.5 percent from the field (19-of-55) and 15.4 percent from long range (2-of-13).
The Zips forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 26 points while turning the ball over 15 times. Akron also held the advantage in points in the paint (44-28), fast break points (16-4) and bench scoring (21-6).
The Zips continued to control the tempo, but MSU cut the lead to six (64-58) with 52 second to go before two free throws by Diggs iced the game.
Both teams came out looking to score as MSU opened up an early 11-6 lead with 16:20 to go in the first half. The lead was short-lived, however, thanks to seven-straight points by Diggs and a Nick Harney bucket.
The Zips kept the pressure on as both teams traded buckets, but it was Akron who came out on top in the half thanks to a stout defensive effort. The Zips' defense held the Bulldogs without a field goal over the final 7:05, outscoring MSU 16-6 to take a 37-29 lead at the intermission.
Akron closed the half shooting 17-of-33 from the field (51.5 percent) while holding MSU to just 9-of-27 (33.3 percent) from the floor. The Zips held a 22-17 rebounding advantage and turned eight MSU turnovers into 13 points. Diggs led all scorers with 11 points.
Akron will open its home season on Saturday, Nov. 12, when the Zips play host to Hiram as part of the 2K Sports Classic. Tip-off from Rhodes Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Courtesy of Akron Athletics
FROM THE NOTEBOOK: With the win, Akron improves to 67-44 in season openers ... the Zips are 2-3 all-time against the Southeastern Conference, 2-0 under head coach Keith Dambrot ... Quincy Diggs' previous high of 18 points came against Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference semifinals (March 11, 2011) ... Akron is now 117-18 (.867) when holding opponents to 65 points or less ... Alex Abreu had a career-high six steals, bettering his previous mark of five against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Dec. 29, 2010).
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