MUNCIE, Ind. — Akron’s Tavari Johnson played a pivotal role in leading his team to a close victory against Ball State, scoring 21 points in an exhilarating 87-82 win on Tuesday evening. Johnson was efficient in his performance, successfully hitting 9 out of 13 shots and making all three of his free throws, helping the Zips maintain their strong standing in the Mid-American Conference with a record of 22-6 overall and 14-1 in conference play.
Alongside Johnson, Shammah Scott contributed significantly by scoring 18 points and providing five assists, while Amani Lyles added 11 points to the scoreboard, ensuring that Akron stayed ahead throughout the match.
For Ball State, Jermahri Hill proved to be the standout performer with an impressive 26 points, supported by Mickey Pearson Jr., who added 24 points and secured nine rebounds. Ethan Brittain-Watts also made an impact with his contribution of 11 points.
During the first half, Scott was instrumental in giving Akron the early lead with 13 points, resulting in a 47-39 advantage by halftime. As the second half progressed, Johnson took charge, scoring an additional 15 points to solidify Akron’s close five-point triumph over their rivals.
Looking ahead, Akron is set to face Kent State at home on Friday, while Ball State will travel to Bowling Green for their next matchup on Saturday.
This report was generated with the assistance of technological solutions for sports data analysis.
