Akron Men's Basketball Duo Leads Win at Ball State

Amani Lyles and Tavari Johnson power Zips to victory in MAC matchup

Feb. 21, 2026 at 10:35am

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The University of Akron men's basketball team earned a road win over Ball State on Friday, February 20th, led by the standout performances of seniors Amani Lyles and Tavari Johnson. The two have formed an impressive scoring duo for the Zips this season.

Why it matters

Akron is looking to make a push for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) title and an NCAA Tournament berth, and strong outings from Lyles and Johnson will be crucial to their success down the stretch. The win over Ball State keeps the Zips in contention in the competitive MAC.

The details

Lyles and Johnson combined for a dominant scoring effort, leading the Zips to the victory over Ball State. The two seniors have been the driving force behind Akron's offense all season long.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Amani Lyles

A senior guard for the University of Akron men's basketball team.

Tavari Johnson

A senior forward for the University of Akron men's basketball team.

University of Akron

The public research university located in Akron, Ohio, whose men's basketball team competes in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Ball State

The public research university located in Muncie, Indiana, whose men's basketball team is a conference rival of Akron in the MAC.

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The takeaway

Akron's senior duo of Lyles and Johnson have been the driving force behind the team's success this season, and their continued strong play will be crucial as the Zips make a push for the MAC title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.