AKRON, Ohio – The Concord University men's basketball team was unable to keep pace with Division I Akron in an exhibition Friday night at Rhodes Arena, losing 84-58.
The first half was a defense-minded game as the teams combined to shoot 35.8 percent (19-for-53) in the opening 20 minutes.
Akron (8-5) ran out to a 24-12 advantage through the first 11 minutes of the game. However, the Mountain Lions dug in and held the Zips to two points over the next 6:48 of the first half—trimming the deficit to 26-21 in the process.
A jumper from junior guard
Jordan Wooden in the final minute of the first half got CU within 31-23 at halftime.
The Zips shot 60 percent in the second half and made nine of their 12 three-pointers for the game in the final 20 minutes. But, Concord stayed within striking distance of Akron.
Down 62-42, back-to-back three-pointers from sophomore forward
Amare Smith and graduate guard
Lual Daniel Rahama reduced the deficit to 62-48 with 6:44 left, forcing a timeout from UA.
Akron stretched the lead back to 21 points with 5:41 left.
Rahama scored a game-best 21 points with 17 coming after halftime. He shot 50 percent (9-of-18) from the floor.
Junior guard
JJ Harper scored seven of his nine points in the first half. Smith netted seven points.
The Mountain Lions resume Mountain East Conference play when it welcomes nationally-ranked West Liberty to the Carter Center 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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